bird song art event – Page 15

Hello Dollies!

antiques/junking, bird song art event, celebrations, parties, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / April 7, 2011

On Saturday, we had a create-a-thon in the studio.

They helped me work out kinks in my upcoming class for Paper Cowgirls.

Pictured are the creations of:

Me * Suzanne * Andrea * Jenn * Heather * Lori

For my dressform, I wanted to experiment with wallpaper instead of text. It was a little harder to do (stiffer paper) but I like how it turned out. I also kept mine simple, using only things that will be given to the students in the kits.

Its very frustrating to take a class and find that the teacher's example can't be made with what she gives you, isn't it?

While I was in the grips of decopauge fever, I covered this little bird too. It was just a white bird from the craft store, and Agnes Rosebud had eaten its head half off, so I did a bit of a redo on the poor little guy.

A room full of pros is a wonderful thing when you are figuring out ideas. And with this bunch, I wasn't exactly "teaching" them, it was more like all of us working on the same thing at the same time. I just gave them a few directions and they took off.

Those ladies gave me as many ideas as I gave them. I find that is true of any artful gathering. You get as much info from your tablemates as from any instructor.

Lori showed us how to make some wax paper flowers that were recently featured in Somerset Life. See how different they all turned out too?

The flowers are in a "vase" that I bought at Bottom's Up for $10. Its just some salvage bit of part of something else, but that is one of my favorite kinds of purchases. I'll use it a lot.

Beth spent the day working on the covers for her journal swap for Bird Song, but did get to make a flower too.

She got quite a few covers done, and no two were alike.

The group not only gave me good tips for my Paper Cowgirls class, they had lots of good ideas for the seating and studio arrangement for Bird Song.

I'd kind of oversold the event and was trying to figure out how to seat everyone. Suzanne had a wonderful idea and I've already rearanged the furniture as she suggested. I did that as soon as I got back from taking them to the airport.

Since I had more requests even after the class was overstuffed, I talked to the teachers, Carol, Lisa, and Debbie, and all of them agreed to give up their seats to students. So, now, I've gone from too full, to having a couple extra spaces.

Interested? Please let me know.

Now my studio seems lonely after having such a fun bunch here. I've packed up and mailed the last batch of purchases too big to fit in my guest's suitcases, and got those in the mail. Can you guess whose box this is? Yep, Jenn Hayslip, bunny queen. She scored big time on the bunny front while here. (by the way, she has spaces available for her romantic, prairie fairy tale if you'd like to get away on an arty adventure. We'll all be there too!)

And I was thrilled that everyone shopped my studio too. It was nice of them, and I know it is never easy to randomly shop around with stuff not priced. It was sweet that they made the effort.

Curious Sofa Style is nothing but the Good Stuff!

bird song art event, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / February 28, 2011

Debbie Dusenberry of Curious Sofa sent me these photos of the project she is making for Bird Song.

She'll be teaching these two sconce shades, and they are even more beautiful than I was expecting.

And you expect a lot from a lady of her talents!

Gorgeous, huh?

The classes are most likely sold out. I'm holding a spot for someone, and haven't heard back from her. So, if you'd like to be on a waiting list to join us the last day of April and first day of May, for classes in my studio with Debbie, Carol, Lisa, and myself, please let me know.

Debbie also sent me this picture of her supplies for the kits. Yum.

My thoughts have turned to the menus for the weekend, since I'll be feeding everyone breakfast, lunch, and treats both days. I've decided to order pizza for the evening meal that I am doing, so I can mingle and have fun with the group. All these great ladies are coming from all over the country to come and visit, and I hate to be so busy that I can't hang out with them!

It never hurts to plan ahead. I'm not a list maker, but I do plan non-stop in my head. There are a lot of lists rolling around in there, pages and pages of them. So, right up there in my noggin with the thoughts of what would make the best tasting chicken salad for my guests, and how long should the lace snippets be for my Paper Cowgirl kits, is a list of what I need to photograph and list for my Boutique grand opening (coming soon!!) and about a billion other things. If I took the time to write it all down, I'd never have time to do it all.

Also on that never ending list of lists in my head, is trying to figure out how to set up a linky party. Since we are having one next weekend.

Mrs. Staggs was the person who suggested the "Using the Good Stuff" challenge. And she has offered a giveaway on her blog for the day too. Here is a photo of her generous treats.

Please go to her blog for the giveaway rules. (I know I'd love to win those rose basket die cuts!!)

The rules for my giveaway of Besties?

Simple, just leave a comment on any post, up to and including the party.

I hope you will link up with us and show a project you've made with your favorite supplies- the good stuff that we tend to hoard and not use. It can be a blog post from your past, or something you have just made.

Please add info back to my blog from your posting, so everyone can see the rest of the parade of pretties.

Registration is open for Paper Cowgirls!

antiques/junking, bird song art event, how-to projects, magazine pictures or articles, Tutorials, vintage paper/collage art, Workshops

By Karla Nathan / February 23, 2011

Paper Cowgirls is open for registration!

I've already signed up to take a couple classes and am really looking forward to the event. Over the last couple years, I have heard so many good things about it and have wanted to get down to Texas to give it a try.

And I am thrilled to be one of the teachers this year. Well, that is IF ten people sign up for my class…. If ten don't sign up, it gets cancelled.

Please keep your fingers crossed for me!

Personally, its a class that I would sign up for, if it wasn't my class, I mean. I really like the piece we'll be creating. I spend lots of time working on the prototypes and figuring out the steps on how to make these mini dress forms.

An idea can be the easy part. Making it work isn't always as easy! It took me a while to fine tune the process and get it down good enough to show others how to do it. I had a practice class with some friends before I submitted the project to Paper Cowgirls. And I'll do a couple more practice classes with two other groups of friends before I head to Texas to actually get paid for showing people how to make them.

As I've visited my favorite antique stores, I've been keeping my eye out for great pieces to add to my kits. Last week, I came across a few bags full of these insulators. Won't they make cool toppers for these dress forms?

Here's another pile of toppers I've assembled. My plan is to have a wide variety for the students to chose from, so that all the end products are unique.

When I go to a class, I always take my extras. And usually from the Bestie pile I've been talking about lately. Because I like my own piece of art to look like MY OWN piece of art, not just like the teacher's.

Oh, I get a lot from the classes and enjoy and use the kits. And I seem to learn a lot from everyone sitting at the table with me. But- I do like my creation to look like I was the one creating it, so I bring supplemental goodies to add to the kit the teacher provided.

So, for Paper Cowgirls, just like I am with Bird Song, I am giving the students the opportunity to make their own choices. There will be kits of course, and they will be filled with lots of vintagey goodness. And since most of the stuff is vintage, not all will be just the same in each kit.

For some of the supplies, I want to have piles on the tables for everyone to pick through.

I'd rather they didn't have to bring their own unique things unless they really want to. I'd like to provide enough to make sure that while we all follow the same steps and instructions, everyone has the chance to veer off the beaten path a bit and art the piece up in the way that calls out to them.

And with all my classes, the students will be Using the Good Stuff! Look at these great laces I bought yesterday from Beth. She gave me a deal so wonderful that I can afford to treat all the students to nice, old lace.

We spent the day together, she let me help her redo her antique mall booth, and I'll have some photos of that for the next post. And she bought me lunch, then hauled me to Costco so I could mooch off of her membership and buy plates/cups/etc for Bird Song and for another gathering I have coming up.

Over all, this has been a great week. Well besides the awful cold that settled into a sinus infection. But now, I have myself heavily medicated for that and the pounding in my sinuses is just about gone. I had Sugarwings a few nights, which makes any week wonderful. Even though, at my age with a sinus infection, chasing a 4 year old and getting up with her in the middle of the night isn't as easy to do as it used to be. Its worth it.

Besides lots of Fairy Grand Baby time, and getting to spend a day with Beth to play decorator in her booth, and signing up for classes at Paper Cowgirls, I also got this copy of Somerset Apprentice in the mail.

I've never been in it before, and honestly had never seen it, I wonder if it is new? But it is GOOD. I read the whole thing cover to cover while I was in the Dr.'s office waiting room and was impressed with the photos and the layout, not to mention the directions.

The whole magazine is step-by-step directions from many artists. It was well done, easy to read and follow. I got some good tips from it! And it made an unpleasant visit to the Dr. go much better.

Hey, thanks for all the comments and emails about Using the Good Stuff. I think the subject was close to the hoader's heart in all of us!

Retail therapy

antiques/junking, bird song art event, collections

By Karla Nathan / February 17, 2011

Thanks for all your well wishes, Sugarwing's arm is just fine and my cold is fading. I woke up this morning trying to figure out what was different, then realized that I was breathing through my nose again! What a wonderful feeling.

I had a day of shopping therapy, I think I owe my recovery to that. I followed a spur of the moment whim and took myself to the Rusty Chandelier and Jesse James in St. Joe, MO and found a lot of little treats, mostly for upcoming classes.

But this OLD lace jacket was a splurge just for me. Its not practical, and will probably shred and fall apart as I wear it, but I convinced myself it was worth it. And I think I was right. It was only $22, and after it falls to pieces, I can always salvage it for art supplies.

And look at these little velvet posies! I love old flowered hats, (I might have mentioned that a couple times here and there) but I love VELVET flowers best of all. Especially the teeny ones like these. I do tend to spend extra when I find flowers this great. This hat was a bit over the budget line for what I usually allow myself to spend on flowers, but these were such wonderful flowers!

And there are lots on here. So, for $20, I think I'll get my money's worth out of it.

And since I got a couple of other hats for much cheaper, I figure it all averages out.

The cabinet that I keep my hats in is overflowing at this point, but the levels do go down. So, I never turn down hats when I see them at good prices. Once I get my boutique re-opened, I'll list packages of flowers for sale. And I use them. By the handful.

I live by the credo, "Use the good stuff!" Because why put all of your artistic effort into making something and using half ass goods in the project? I believe that a good piece of work deserves good supplies going in to it.

Or am I justifying an obsession? Maybe I buy too many hats…

Nah.

My pal, Lisa, made a joke on her blog about the guests at Bird Song guessing how many hats I own to try to win a prize. Actually, I think it would be a good idea to do.

After a day in the studio, I'll have all the students guess how many hats are in the room, and give one of the hats as a prize to whoever is closest. It will be like that game where you guess how many beans are in a jar. (which I am usually really good at, I've won that game more than once when I enter a contest)

When I got back from shopping, a package was waiting for me! From Kay Ellen Hammer. Her mother invented this great double tape, and they sent 25 rolls of it to give away at Bird Song too. Our goodie bags will each have a pack in them! Thanks Kay Ellen and Jodee!!

While in St. Joe, I also found a stack of old pamphlets from the government for farmers. They were published in the 30s and dealt with everything from how to grow strawberries to how to treat TB at home. I bought about 40, non-disease ones.

And I am stocking up on vintage ribbon for the classes I'll be teaching this year. I believe that my students deserve to use the good stuff too!

By the way, we have a few spots left for the May Day weekend event at my house. I'd love to see you there. Meeting blog friends is always a treat. If you are interested, email me for an invoice. Details can be found HERE.

EDIT- One spot left!

I'm going to be adding a link for all the Bird Song attendess who have blogs, onto my links page "pretty places". Today, I cleaned it up a bit and made it look spiffier and easier to read.

Links are how we all get to know each other in blogworld, and I am always happy to share. If you'd like to exchange links with me, please let me know and I'd love to add you to my page.

ADHD time in the studio

bird song art event, show and tell, vintage paper/collage art, Workshops

By Karla Nathan / February 11, 2011

While I had the sewing machine set up to work on goodie bags for Bird Song, I decided to work on a few other little sewing projects. I wanted to make some crepe paper ruffles to have setting out as extra supplies for anyone who wants to use it on their project for my class that weekend.

And guess what? I need some of the ruffles to add to the kits that I am making up for these classes too! I get to teach at Paper Cowgirls!!!!!! Yee Haw! I'm a cowgal!

The classes are June 9th- 11th someplace in Texas. I guess I should be figuring out where.

I'll be teaching these miniature dress forms. I'm busily finding cool stuff to put in the kits for those too. Lots of old papers, millinery, and lace. Each kit will be just a bit different, when you are providing vintage materials, its different than going to the store or ordering a bunch of something online.

There are still a few spots open for Bird Song, if I don't see you there, maybe I will at Paper Cowgirls? Or at Jenn's event in Ashville?Sign ups haven't started yet for Paper Cowgirls or Once Upon a Dream, I'll let you know when they open for registration.

We still have a few spots left for Bird Song. Debbie and Carol have about a billion readers each, so when they mention it on their blogs, those spots will be gone fast. If you want to come, you should sneak in now before the big guns announce it!

PS- Carol has a new site too, have you seen it yet?

Ever notice how one project leads to another? After sewing up the crepe paper ruffles, I decided that the edges of the paper needed to be coffee dyed. So, I dipped it and then thought, why waste the rest of the coffee? Next thing I know, I'm scrounging for ribbons and trims to add to the coffee.

Then, I printed off some old French images that I'd scanned. I had a few extra bags un-embellished from my craft day with Beth and New Karla on Tuesday, so I thought that I would foof them up while the sewing machine was still out.

After printing the images onto the fabric, I dipped it in the coffee too.

I ended up making 10 more bags for another little party that I am having at my house, not the Bird Song event.

Some of the images I used on these bags were from Romantic Gothic Ghosts and Romantic White Christmas workshops that I did with Beth. So much of the ephemera that we scanned for those classes is good for more than just holiday decor.

For these bags, I used the fabric printed images as pockets, then glued on some embellishments and doo dads.

Its been a bit schizophrenic around the studio the last couple of days. Like I said, one thing leads to another and then all of a sudden, I've got a half dozen different things in the works. Like, when I was trimming up wallpaper to scan to print onto the fabric, I thought- why waste the salvage from it???

So, I got out the paper shredder and next thing I know, I"m shredding up all sorts of pieces too little to be good for much else. (they were still laying around from when I made up the kits for Bird Song). So, now, I have packing materials for shipping when I reopen the Boutique.

( I should be working on getting some inventory built up for my grand reopening, huh? Seems more important to have something to sell than shreds of paper to wrap stuff up in, at least it would be if I wasn't a schizo crafter this week! )

Did I mention that I am also writing 3 articles by the 18th, making 70 gifts for Moulin Rouge, and baby sitting my fairy grandbaby all weekend? No wonder you are NOT seeing any pretty Valentines on my posts.

Thanks to these kind friends who offered to be sponsors for Bird Song and help fill the goodie bags! Later on, I'll do a post with photos of what they send in, along with the rest of the goodies from the other sponsors. Its going to be one tasty, stuffed goodie bag, that is for sure!!

Queen for a Day

bird song art event, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), vintage paper/collage art, yorkies

By Karla Nathan / February 9, 2011

Yesterday, I had a studio full of helpers! Beth brought Button with her to work on the gift bags she designed for Bird Song.

But not only did she print out all the bird images on vintage fabric, she brought her friend, Karla, (who I call New Karla, although she and Beth have been buddies since they were just little kids) and the two of them helped me with my taxes.

Both are accountants and claimed that it was fun to sort through my Pay Pal info.

Fun?

It didn't sound like fun to me. It was wonderful to have someone get all the stuff ready for me to pack it up to take to my own accountant. I'd have worked on it for a week, but Karla did it in an hour or so.

But not only that, they brought lunch too.

And Beth brought me new velvet slippers. With an N brooch on them for "nest" or "Nathan", as well as a book of alphabet fonts for me to scan and print for the NEST banners we are making in Bird Song.

But wait- there's more! Not only did they do my accounting, feed me, bring me gifts and sew bags, they helped me push my son's car when it got stuck in the ice. And did I mention that it was a below zero day?

For once I didn't care how cold it was, it was a GREAT day! Aren't friends the best?? I felt pampered all day long. Especially since I was wearing new velvet slippers in a royal plum color- my feet even felt pampered.

Here is the bag that Beth made as a prototype. She hand stitched hers, but we used the sewing machine to make the 20 some gift bags.

The images she printed on to old fabric were from Dawn, the Graphics Fairy, Mary, and collages that Beth had done herself.

She used old linen from an estate sale, that she stuck to full sized Avery Labels, to run through the printer.

The bags are some that my friend, Andrea has used in the past and recommended on her blog. I Lightly dyed them in a small amount tan Rit dye, then soaked them all day in coffee. When they were dry, I threw them in the dryer to heat set. I like the crumply, aged look it made. And they are so nice and soft, too.

Beth had offered to make ribbon rosettes for each bag, like the one she did on her sample, but I just couldn't let her do it. She'd already done so much work on these.

I started to embellish bags myself with some different things. Old lace, brown velvet ribbon, millinery, jewelry.

Goodies are already starting to pile up to go into the bags for the students! I've got a few sponsors and am making some things myself.

So far, the sponsors are:

Beth

Dawn

Kay Ellen and her mom

Hope

Lonnie

Lisa

And if you'd like to be a sponsor, I'd love to have you! We would need either 25 items to fill gift bags, or a single gift as a raffle prize. Please contact me if you'd like to sponsor. I'll be doing a post showing all the gifts and linking back to the giver's blogs closer to the event.

Or if you'd like to come to the event itself, there are still spaces. Its the last day of April, first day of May and will be here in my studio. Two days of classes with Lisa, Carol, Debbie, and myself for $250 (includes meals)

I filled a bag with old millinery in colors Beth liked as a thank you, but I think I need to take those two helpers out to lunch, don't you? Not only did they do a ton of things for me, they just plain old made my day by being so nice.

There is no better way to beat the winter blahs than to be treated so royally by friends!

Speaking of treats, I need to announce the winners of the rhinestone bracelets that I'm giving away.

Natalie

Charlene

Cindy (who gave Sugarwings the cute dress she was wearing in the snow fort photos)

Rita Zink

Joanne

Battling the mid-winter blues and dreaming of Spring!

bird song art event, family, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / February 7, 2011

The other day, I was cleaning my studio and doing some rearranging, with my spring time art event in mind, and just decided that I couldn't take it anymore, I had to MAKE something. Something quick and simple, but something. This weather has had me down, and not feeling very creative, so I needed a boost and forced myself to create.

Since I'd been cleaning up, there was a pile of papers I'd gathered up on the desk, so I used them up instead of putting them away, and turned them into a mini ephemera book.

I felt a little better about winter after doing something pretty.

Sugarwings came to spend the weekend with me, and both of us are feeling that mid-winter pinch. That cooped up, sick of being inside the same four walls dread. To beat the blues, we built a fort with blankets and curtains over the dining room table.

We discussed building strategy and felt like all white was the way to go, and that we'd call it a snow fort.

The floor got covered with a couple of thick, soft comforters, and we brought in pillows, a flash light, and art supplies.

And treats, of course! We snacked away all day and didn't even have lunch.

Yes, I did say all day. We were in that fort for hours.

We spent some of the time doing cave paintings. We used markers to draw fairies, clouds, hearts, and stars above our heads on the underside of the table.

Hopefully, she'll take my warning about never drawing on anyone's furniture unless an adult says Okay, seriously.

Hopefully, I haven't created an urge in her to marker up every table she sees… But I think that she understood that this was a special place and a special time.

After a couple hours of stories, drawing and snacking, she still wasn't ready to leave the fort. So I snuck out and got a book for myself and a DVD player for her.

This is our book for Monday night's book club and I hadn't had a chance to open it till Sunday afternoon.

So, I borrowed Sugarwing's flashlight and started to read while she watched Ariel. After a while my handsome husband got home, and he crawled in to hang out, and discovered just how cozy the spot was. He ended up taking a nice long nap in the fort while Sugarwings watched another movie.

Her Hippy Chick Mommy came over for Sunday dinner, and we made some Valentines, then the two of them crawled in the fort to watch a 3rd movie. I think that if she had her way, that kid would still be in that fort right now. She did eat breakfast in there this morning.

Thanks for all the sign ups for Bird Song! There are still spots left, if you are interested please email me for a pay-pal invoice. I can't promise you a snow fort while you are here, but please feel free to climb under the tables and draw on the undersides if you'd like.

Details about the event can be found HERE.

And if you'd like to win one of my bargain bag rhinestone bracelets, leave a comment here or on the previous post. I bought a ton of them for dirt cheap and will draw a few names to share them.

How to join us at Bird Song- Hope to see you there!

antiques/junking, bird song art event

By Karla Nathan / February 5, 2011

Well, I think I've got the Bird Song site ready for sign ups! No photos yet of Debbie's project, but a very nice description. And if you know anything about Debbie, you have to know she'll do something excellent. She is so talented and has such a discerning eye for beauty.

If you would like to sign up to attend the classes at my home on April 30th and May 1st, please email me at karlanathan@sbcglobal.net after 8 am Central time Monday, Feb.7 and I will send you a pay pal invoice for $250.

We have space for 20 guests. I'll answer the emails in the order they come in.

More info here:

http://karlascottage.typepad.com/bird_song/

Above is a bit of my kits, just a small part of it. The NEST banners are meant to have options and can be made low-color or with touches of robin's egg. There will be quite a few options for the banner, so everyone can end up with an unique creation.

Have you seen Carol's NEW blog? She is doing two blogs now, so we get double the Carol goodness.

And I am honored to have her teaching at Bird Song! She'll be showing us how to do this fringed tree.

And Lisa will teach this woven piece made with old lace and natural elements. I met Lisa online through our blogs and could tell she and I were meant to be buds. She'll be quite the addition to the weekend, and I'm trying to convince her to stay longer, because she is a blast to hang out with. I love to have a few days in the studio with her just to play with papers.

Hosting this weekend is kind of a selfish thing for me. I'm so looking forward to seeing those of you who can make it here, to spend time in the studio with me and with this great group of teachers that I am gosh durn lucky to have as friends.

Gosh durn? Well today, I beat cabin fever by getting out of the house with a good group of friends and doing some retail therapy. And in the car, we had a cuss word talk. Gol Dang and Gosh durn came up, as well as Jiminy Christmas. One friend said she always knew her Dad was about to explode if he invoked Jiminy.

My bad habit? Freakin. And Durn. I'm a big Durn-er. Oh, and crap. Do you have a favorite faux swear word?

We were shopping at Bottoms Up, the once a month spectacular headed by my Bella buddy, Gwen of French by Design. My huge purchase wasn't old, even though the place is filled with the best antiques to be found in KC.

I got a giant bag of rhinestone bracelets for 20 bucks. These sparklers will be fantastic art supplies. I've already added a bundle of the neutral colored ones to my Bird Song banner supplies.

They are just perfect for the S in NEST!

I bought 60 plus packages of these bracelets, and each package had 2-3 in the bag. I'll share. Leave a comment on this post and I'll give a few away. They are fun to wear, or to cut in half and glue onto a project.

PS- how embarrassing, my last post was full of typos and odd sentences, if you read it on Google Reader. I hit publish instead of preview and once you do that, corrections don't show up on googlereader. It was a bit of a jumble.

Almost ready for sign up!

bird song art event, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / February 4, 2011

This picture does NOT express how I am feeling right now. Between the cabin fever from this major snow and ice storm, and coming down with a bug that kept me in bed for two days straight, I'm not exactly feeling a pirouette coming on. (well maybe in my tummy)

But I can tell that I am feeling better, I was itching to get up out of bed and visit the studio, even if I didn't feel like doing much but poking around out here. It was still good to get out of the house.

Before the snow and the crud both hit, I snuck out for a mini junking day, and headed to Four Corners and Scranton, KS. Little towns in the middle of nowhere, that have a couple of antique shops that usually have good finds for me. Hat boxes always attract my eyes, I'm constantly hunting them down to pick up and shake to see if loot is waiting inside.

And if I see a particularly pretty one, I buy it for studio storage. This cool Marie Antoinette style one wasn't full of goodies, but I did find a small grass cloth one that was. Plus a few other tid bits. I can't turn down old books with attractive fonts for a dollar a piece, even though I have more ephemera than I'll ever use.

You just never know just how much is enough, though… I seriously try to use what I buy, not hoard it.

I made use of one of the books already. The whole entire thing got torn up and put into the kits I made up for Bird Song, my art event coming up this spring.

Two hats full of white flowers went into the kits too. I'm still so impressed with myself and a tad bit shocked to realize that all my kits are done and ready for April! Its probably because I am soooooo excited about hosting the classes here at the cottage. I'm just too filled with anticipation to wait till later to get things ready.

I'm actually hosting classes here!! Yipppeee! An art event of my own??? With teachers I admire and look up to?

pinch me

You've heard me run on and on and on about the classes I have gone to that were hosted by Jenn and Kim, plus I Silverbella's biggest cheerleader, I LOVE going there. Now, I am in a completely different category than what those ladies are doing, my mini event will be much different. A smaller scale, more laid back, and casual.

What I love about these art weekends, is the atmosphere of having so many creative people together at once. I love seeing what everyone makes, getting ideas from their take on a project, learning and sharing. Its always artfully invigorating.

And I just love to throw parties, if you've read my blog a coupel times, you might have noticed.

So, to combine guests, with a studio play date with blog friends??? Too cool.

Of course, once the site is open for sales (on Monday) I'll be freaking out that no one will come to Kansas to see me…. Be prepared for a case of the nerves to hit me. I'll thank you ahead of time for listening to me nerves. Its always good to have friends to share worries with.

I'm hoping 20 of you will sign up to come and play with me and Debbie, Carol, and Lisa the last Saturday of April, and May Day Sunday. Of course, its Februrary now, and I didn't leave you much time to sign up. Between the holidays, vacations, flu, family tragedy, and teacher changes, it has not been a quick process to set this up to sell.