The Sisters of the Secret Fatbook Society's 1st Annual Fall Fête

Welcome!

On Saturday, we held the 1st annual Fall Fête for the Sisters of the Secret Fatbook Society.

Hot spiced cider for all!

Although flu and family crisis' kept the numbers small, the day was a ripping success!

Munchies!

Upon arrival, there was my Mom's secret recipe of hot spiced cider, homemade zucchini bread and other yummies for snacking.

Jacky seems to like the cider!

Jacky from the Akron area was the 1st to arrive. Shortly after, Susan from New York showed up and we got started. We each completed several projects and learned new techniques and old tricks of the trade.

Busy Bees!

First we made feather-light frames, utilizing pretty printed paper napkins as a starting point. plexiglass, ribbons and embellishments rounded them out nicely.

Jacky busily choosing embellishments for her frame.

We broke for lunch to a meal of spring mixed greens, scalloped pineapple, orphans rice and chicken and stuffing. A homemade apple tart and yummy pumpkin cake was available for dessert.

The table all ready for lunch.

After lunch, Jacky showed us how to make adorable domino pins with alcohol ink. Much fun was had playing with the possibilities! We were having so much fun making pins we almost forgot to eat dinner!

Working away on a project.

Supper was homemade turkey chili, Mike's Famous homemade coleslaw and yummy pumpkin pie. (We decided to forgo the campfire s'mores as it was cold and rainy) ((I should thank my mom, Shirley here, as she made all the superb desserts for us. (She did win the NATIONAL Crisco pie award years back)- Thanks Mom!))

Susan gives a quick smile in between projects.

Back to the studio to finish metallic lightweight frames, and swap art goodies. By the time the day ended we were all tired and all excited about the new friendships forged as well as art made.

Goodie bags waiting to go home!

Feeling Sistery.....

Lately, I've been blessed to "meet" some of the most fabulous, talented people through various online art groups. Two groups particularly close to my heart are The Altered Art Divas and The Sisters of the Secret Fatbook Society. Both groups have given me the opportunity to "get to know" some of the most wonderful, artistic, giving, open and sharing women I've ever had the priviledge to run across. It blows me away, the way they open their hearts and share their art in such a supportive manner. As a product of an "official art education" the support and positive attitude is something I can't quite wrap my noodle around yet. I pour thru their blogs every free moment I get, amazed at their daily creations. Amazed at the sheer quantity of wonderful work they are producing, just for fun. They challenge me daily to create just for the sake of creating, rather than "producing" for an end product, as I must do daily for my job. It is taking me in a whole new direction within myself, a place that I sort of always "felt" was there but didn't quite know the address for. For these artists I am so thankful, in this of all months to express thanks.

This is a piece I did in my art journal, inspired by 2 other tremendous artists, Anne Bagby and Lynne Perrella, and what they were generous enough to share with me. It sings what my words cannot about these artistic sisters.

Final Flat Sissie Uploaded

Even more Flat Sissies

More Flat Sissies

Flat Sissies Fatbook Swap

Earlier this year, for the Sisters_of_the_Secret_Fatbook_Society yahoo group , I organized a fatbook swap called "Flat Sissies." I had in mind the best of both worlds, Paper Dolls and Fatbooks. Sixteen of the Sisters signed up, and I had them each mail their "character" in to be swapped and sent to the other players. Then each player dressed, and created scenes or adventures for everyone elses's character, as well as creating multiples of an intro page for their own character.

Now the pages have all come in, and the hullabaloo of swapping and binding has begun. The finished product is that each sister has an entire book of their own character, dressed by each of the other sisters, and a little story of what they did when they visited. They also have at the back of the book, a "friends" section, where a copy of each of the other players characters makes an appearance.

Each of the players did a wonderful job and took their "play" seriously. The resulting books are surprising, unique and wonderful.

The books are set to go in the mail on Monday morning, so I'm not spoiling any surprises by posting my pages today. These are the pages I created, starting with the intro page for my own character "Adelheid." I love old European advertising art, so each of my "sissies" I put into an ode to some of my favorite pieces. I tried to give the original artist credit by naming them or the title of the piece somewhere in the story. These are before I hand embellished them with glitter and jewelry and other bobeches.

I hope you enjoy!