I AM SPECIAL BECAUSE...

Erin made me a book. Check out her handiwork! This is a great way to show someone you care about them. You're never too old for a book that says you're "a diamond." Thank you Erin, I love it, and you!!!

Variety Show

This weekend I met up with Beddes in SLC. We ate Peruvian food, bought cheap t-shirts at Old Navy, and spent a long time driving around the Avenues looking for a chocolate/icecream parlor ran by midgets, says Beddes. I couldn't confirm that because it was closed when we finally found it. I'm glad herman Beddes still likes to hang out with me, even though I don't hardly remember any of the mission stories that she does, "hey fox, remember when we...." usually I don't. So we're making new memories. Let the good times roll.
These next pictures are items I recently bought at DI. I frequent the one in Provo often. The picture above is from an art book for children. I recently came home with a lunch box, brass pony, hand mirror, tracing paper, dust particulate masks, a white kitten and a 70's cake plate. I can't stop myself. I'm turning into my mother, and I don't think that's a bad thing.
This is the bookshelf I bought today at DI. It fits well in my kitchen.
Lastly: although I already have a million vintage dessert cookbooks, I NEEDED this one.

The Congregation

It was fun to create this piece. I call it "The Congregation." In the drawing class I teach we're going to try a new assignment based off the work of Henry Darger. We're going to watch bits of the film made about him, and then make some collage/tracings/paintings referencing his work. It should be fun. I enjoy getting to make up the assignments, finally! This painting was a practice for me to test out the assigment for my class.

Inspiration

I just checked out a book on Peter Blake, the British pop-artist. Yes, he designed the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band Album cover. I hadn't seen many of these paintings before, I like them a lot. I've got my own Peter Blake painting/collage going on in the last photo, will let you know when it's done! What's inspiring you lately?

Mother Dear

Mother dear I love you so,

Your happy smiling face

is such a joy to look at,

it makes home a lovely place!

Happy Mother's Day! My Mom is my greatest friend. I know lately I always end up crying when we talk on the phone, that is because she is such a good listener and counselor. I am always amazed at how my mom loves all of her seven children equally. I feel like she loves me most of all because she is so kind and giving to me, but I'm sure she'd give Andrew a pink sweater, vintage dress, or a new sewing machine, if he'd but say the word.

As my family has been in between moves between Idaho and Washington, I realize even more what my mom means to the family. It's sad to be at the house in Idaho and she's not there. She not only keeps the house tidy, the blankets folded, turns off the lights in the evening, but she makes my dad happy and completes our family. The little primary song rings true, "your happy smiling face...makes home a lovely place." I love you Mom!

currently

i call it wall paper. let you know when it's done!

The Panoramic view of my room

this is for sarah, who wanted to see what my room looks like (i just moved, again. 3rd time in less than a year!) This little clip keeps cracking me up because i look so gross and scary. it's all about the camera angles folks. in one frame you're jennifer aniston and in another lyle lovett. (i'm always lyle after i've showered and my hair is a fro.)

P.S. Happy Birthday to Grandpa Bruneel and my pal Lissa! I love you both!

Altered Books

Megan and her pink hair dryer
We had some fun making "altered books" over the weekend. What you do is you take an old book (mine was about dinosaurs) and you paint the pages white with gesso. After painting the page, concealing text and leaving illustrations or bits of text to remain, you blow dry the page dry, then move on to the next page. It's actually a long and monotonous project, but when you're done you have a cool book to use as a journal, sketchbook, or whatever kind of book you want!

Why my right thumb kills

the dang embroidery on this hoody, while very simple, was really difficult to puncture through the fabric, especially over the screenprinted areas. anyone know any embroidery tips?

I plan on making more of these "recycled" hoodies. I bought a bunch of these hoodies and other t-shirts and plan on combining them with stitchery and applique. I turn to the needle arts because it is "almost the only [art] within a woman's grasp." That is what Nathaniel Hawthorne says in The Scarlet Letter, I'm glad times have changed since the 1850's. All the same, it is enriching to dabble in a lost art known only to grandmothers and Mrs. Ethel Wright Mohamed. Also, I'm trying to sell these re-invented hoodies on Etsy. We'll see what happens.

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