CREATE Update

"Harry's Sisters"

"Boys will be Boys"

Did I ever have a great time at CREATE Costa Mesa! The artists in my classes were so wonderful and open and willing to just jump in and try anything I threw their way! Each Artist inspired me with their totally new interpretation of the formula I set in front of them. It always amazes me how in these classes we all start witht the same supply list, yet no 2 finished projects look alike. I am so proud of my peeps- each and every one of them wildly successful!

And I can't say enough about the CREATE staff! The event staff was an awesome team that buzzed and zipped around keeping everything running. The editors were friendly and approachable, and so very generous in their informational dealings with us! Truly makes me happy, since CPS and CPSS are some of my very favorite magazines! They were so wonderful, every need was fulfilled, every comfort had been planned for! The meeting rooms were large and spacious, and the temps were just perfect. The hotel was easy to navigate, and the rooms were clean and spacious. I loved that we had an outside balcony, and I was able to keep it open on day.

Besides getting to see many wonderful friends I've gotten to meet at other venues again, I also had the pleasure of getting to meet some longtime on-line friends! How fun to put the faces to the names, the personalities to the life stories we've shared. What a blessing.

Another real JOY and pleasure was getting to meet my roommates! I was so fortunate to room with Pam Carriker and Jen Cushman. Both are awesome artists and authors, and I couldn't have been luckier to have had the incredible opportunity to spend time with each of them. They are both such amazing wealths of information, and talent! We had such a great time together. It was like meeting long lost sisters or something. We all were able to enjoy an evening class together one night, and Dawn Sokol's "Doodle Soup" was just the ticket! We giggled and relaxed the time away, as creative Dawn lead us thru some fun doodle exercises. It was just the thing to recharge us after long days of teaching and traveling!

I was a bad bad puddy tat- I forgot to take pictures...I'll get better I promise...

To appease, I will reveal some new mixed media fluid acrylic paintings I've been working on.

"Les Roses"

(This one is ALL Pam Carriker's fault, she gave me a GREAT new white gel pen and I tried it out and it wrote on EVERYTHING!!! So obviously I went crazy with it and the bas relief!)

Artiscape, Art & Soul Hampton revisited!

Goodies on our Vendors table at Art & Soul

Wow has time ever flown! In a little less than 3 weeks Mike and I've been all over the place, and visited with friends from around the country!

First, we had a visit with our good friends Kathy from TN, and Andi from WV. So nice they could come in early and spend time with us! First Mike made us his awesome world famous ribs, we enjoyed the comedy styling of John Pinette. The next day the girls and I spent a glorious day stimulating the economy of Dublin Ohio at Miss Biddies Coach House & Tea Room, and then shopping at The Morgan House. Not finished yet, we finished the day with a car full of goodies from The Greater Columbus Antique Mall.

From then the race was on. Artiscape was in full swing, with Mike, Kathy and I setting up and them vending while I demo-ed my new favorite tools, Knead-a-mold and Casting Resin! (More on that later!!!) So all day & night Friday and Saturday we were swamped busy. Our booth was small but mightily filled with goodies, and the shoppers and other vendors were so much fun!

Sunday was my "Happy Bird Sings" clay covered journal class, taking the majority of our day. Had great students, and a lot of fun. Andi shot home after her classes, and Kathy and Mike and I wound down getting Kathy ready for the Airport the next morning.

Upon arriving home from the airport, I was lucky enough to spend time with my cousins Wendy and Laura. Sadly, we lost Laura's mom- my Aunt Linda, and I was heartbroken at not being able to attend the funeral due to my Artiscape commitments, but thank goodness I got to spend time with my girls. We were the closest in age, and so of course we spent lots of time together growing up. I miss my time with my cousins. Now that I'm always travelling, Wendy is in CA and Laura has 5 kids- that time is precious and scarce these days. They kindly helped me re-stock my supplies for my booth and we spent nice times together at the Antique mall and then splurged on Jeni's Ice Cream. If you've never had their Bangkok Peanut....OHHHH MY! Thai Chili Spice, Peanuts and Coconut....ice cream that sets your mouth on fire....I DREAM of it...

Then Easter! And Mike was on the freeway, and a Canadian Goose flew right into the car! Smashed the windshield, dented the roof, and sent glass all over him. The Lord was good and spared Mike from any injury, and other than being shaken and having an un-driveable car, all was well. We scrambled, and Mom lent us her car, as the very NEXT day we were to leave for Art & Soul in Hampton VA.

Mike's Easter Goose Encounter

We loaded the car to the gills, and headed out- stopping at Andi's to spend the night. Mapquest said it was exactly halfway... Mike and I were used to our GPS, and my Mom's was totally different. We ended up going thru the most twisty, turny, 180 degree, one laned roads, but we eventually got there, and we had a lovely, VERY rural drive doing it. We hit an antique store with Andi and found even more goodies, and had a fun dinner out. A nice evening chatting and then off to bed to get ready for the next day. Of course Andi had prepared her WORLD FAMOUS Creme Brulee' French Toast, and so Mike and I waddled to the car and said goodbye, knowing we would meet up with her again in a few days at Art & Soul!

Mike and I went through the Monongahela National Forest & Park, and the George Washington State Park on our way to Hampton Virginia. Lovely all- stomach did not like the curves much though...

Hooray! We arrived at Art & Soul, and I taught 2 full classes of the most awesome and open-minded, creative artists! Each and everyone a happy success story! Fluid Romance and Event Journals Extraordinaire! Can't say enough good about the experience! Everyone was positive and happy and thrilled to be there, enjoying the venue and each others company! Class spaces were wonderfully large and comfortable. The hotel rooms were lovely suites with plenty of space to sit and work and still be comfortable.

I got to spend good down time with my friends Christy from VA and Deb from TX, along with Andi and a new friend Adriane. Seemed I also got to quickly connect and see dozens of friends in the halls and at breakfast every day.

I also was fortunate to meet several of my art heroes- which is always a big kick! I was so pleased to meet Suzanne McNeill, Pam Carriker, Lesley Riley and Susan Lenart Kasmer. Fabulous ladies each and every one!

Vendors Night came, and with a WHOOSH it went, but boy did our booth just BLOW OUT the goodies! Can't believe how many empty containers we had on the table at the end of just 3 hours! I just barely had a few minutes before opening to scour the room, and a few minutes after closing to go back and pick up my treasures. I always have to stop at Lesley and Tom Venables table- they have the most MARVELOUS goodies! And Lesley is an awesome instructor on top of it all!

Finally the sad day came. Art & Soul was over, and we headed home. Mike and I shopped at little out-of-the-way antique shops all the way home to restock our supplies for our vending booth again. And WOW! What cool stuff we found! Can't wait to show you!

Whew! If you've hung-on this long, my thanks. I don't know when I'll get to get back again, as I am leaving for the CREATE Retreat in Costa Mesa CA in just a few days, and I am crazily getting ready for those classes. Unpacking, Repacking, Restocking and Shipping has taken it's toll on the house. Thank goodness Mike will be home this time, to keep things under control!

Spring Swap

I've been so terribly busy lately, trying to get ready for Artiscape, Art & Soul VA, and CREATE in Costa Mesa, not to mention trying to develop new classes and proposals for 2012 that I have been sadly neglectful of my bloggerly duties. So- as soon as I get life back to only an 80 hour work week, I'll be back with all sorts of new photos and projects to share.

Until I can get them up, I'll share a photo of a piece I made for a Spring swap I was in over at Playing with Boxes. We were to decorate a large matchbox and include a little art giftee inside. We sent them so our partner would receive them by the first day of spring. Hopefully it will take the sting out of the last few bites of snow we've had here in The Ohio Valley!

Many of you know how much I adore Julie Haymaker Thompson. She is such a creative soul and an awesome friend. Stop over and see her wonderful art here. Soon Julie will have her store in Bisbee AZ up and running and you will be able to get all sorts of awesome stuff there! I was very much thinking of her as I made this fun little imp for my partner Brittany. I call it Robbie and her redbird.

Art and Soul Art Retreat, Blog Hop...and a Prize

Are you ready for NEXT winter? You will be if you take an exciting and inspirational break before you head indoors for months! Rest, rejuvenate, and recharge your creative muses in September with us at ART & SOUL, Portland!

From Mon Sept 26 thru Sun Oct 2, hundreds of kindred spirits will be gathered together to connect, learn, play, grow and experiment in mixed media workshops taught by internationally recognized instructors—designed to energize the creative spirit!

Mon Sept 26th, I'll be teaching the "Happy Bird Sings" Clay Covered Journal that is featured in Cloth Paper Scissors Jan/Feb 2011. You might want to sign up early, as this class has been selling out quickly!

On Tues Sept 28th, in "Green Art Goodness" I'll show you how to recycle, alter and use all that stuff you have laying around that you don't want to throw out, but you don't really like it enough to use! We'll transform common cereal boxes and broken, mismatched bits and pieces into something you will love. We'll even have a trading session as every artist feels other peoples embellishments are cooler than their own!

I invite you to join me Wed Sept 29th for "A Fluid Romance" where we will explore the juicy, color rich world of Fluid Acrylics. Layering, Optical & Physical color blending, Bas-relief, Composition, Hot-foils, are only the beginning of our playtime...3D ephemera additions will be the taste of steam punk topper.

Still Reading? On to the prize info... Leave a comment on this post about what sort of art classes you would like to take in the future and why, and I'll enter you into a drawing to win one of my handmade journals! Easy!!! Drawing will be held in June~ Make sure you leave info about where to contact you.

Checkout all the inspiration Art & Soul can offer you here. (Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a lot of new projects to inspire your work when you have to settle in for a long winter!) Keep reading to find out about an even BIGGER prize from Art & Soul! I mean wowza big!

Choose from dozens of wonderfully talented and dedicated Art and Soul instructors! Take a quick tour around this blog hop and you'll learn more about just a few of them!

Janne is a master of freestyle and creative machine embroidery and textile portraits, so lifelike!

Janne Robberstad- http://www.spindelmaker.com

Whether inside out outside of boxes, houses or ATC's Stephanie Rubiano's little butterfly people are charming. Stephanie Rubiano- http://www.soigathered.typepad.com

Liz has Gorgeously delectable fabric and fabric painting classes, with a delightful fabric memory journal. Elizabeth Kettle- http://www.textileevolution.com

Ingrid has lively, absolutely thrilling journals with things that truly jump off the page at you!

Ingrid Dijkers – http://www.ingriddijkers.blogspot.com

Ty and Marcia Schultz are enchanted people! They teach you how to make coool big stuff out of Paverpol, and then how to make cool molds of smaller stuff you want more of!

Marcia Schultz- http://queenofarts.blogspot.com

Karen O'Brien's juicy, richly colored, multi-layered collages always make me smile!
Karen O’Brien- http://karenobrien.blogspot.com

Glenny Moir is the magic behind the machine, who works tirelessly night and day, year round to create the whole Art & Soul experience.*** Stop by Glenny's blog and learn about the MOST fabulous prize! A 5 night stay at Embassy Suites! Drawing June 1, so don't hesitate! http://artandsoulretreats.wordpress.com

Want COLOR and ALOT of it? Jane Davies beautiful paper and collage classes are for you!
http://www.janedavies-collagejourneys.blogspot.com

Having fun in the studio!

Betty, Kari, Joe R, and Joe M

Remember a little while ago I told you about this fabulous SCAL program that allows you to cut anything you design using your Cricut? Well I am so impressed with it that I invited the design team over for lunch. WOW! Did we ever have a good time! Joe Rotella, Joe Morgan and Betty Scott, Mike and I enjoyed each others company over yummy lunch and a delicious Cherry Chocolate cake that they brought. (If I hadn't had all the good art ideas and conversaiton to distract me, THAT chocolate siren would have lured me away from my healthy diet entirely!)

Blossom and Rascal really took to them too- and in my book if my doggies love you -you are A-OK!Any of you cricut owners who love the machine, but aren't so fond of buying cartridges to take a peek at their info. I find the SCAL program VERY easy to learn. (If you have used any Adobe Photoshop or PE programs, you will know it automatically!) But with or without any prior experience, Joe easily can get you up and running like a pro in just a couple hours!

http://www.createncraft.com/

I will be doing a PREVIEW reveal of my new line of stencils created with SCAL from my artwork Feb 26-March 4 in my classes at Art & Soul Las Vegas. There will be lots of give-aways!

http://www.artandsoulretreat.com/index.html

And in other fun news, the Spring issue of Coth Paper Scissors Studios was advertised in Cloth Paper Scissors Today. I was tickled to see how they described me/my studio...

Studios, Spring 2011 (Pre-Order)

Incredibly enthusiastic mixed-media artist Kari McKnight-Holbrook loves old things. She uses cigar boxes for embellishments, wire card holders for letters and cabinet cards, old muffin tins (image below) and lunch trays for sorting.Check out all the other talented artists and their useful organizational tips and tricks in Spring Studios!

Cricut fansout there?

I recently purchased a Cricut machine. I love the options it gave me, but still felt very limited in what it could do, and I didn't like having to buy expensive cartridges and STILL not have all the options I wanted. I am used to having so much freedom with my Adobe software, that I was OVERJOYED to find the SCAL program that once again gave ME all the freedom to do whatever I wanted to do! Anything I created in my Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, I could print and cut! No more cartridges!!! Well-now just in time for Valentines Day, Create & Craft is launching a new web site where you can learn about the SCAL program, and even better than that, they are doing an awesome giveaway! Visit http://www.createncraft.com/ to sign up for your chance to win!

Cloth Paper Scissors Studios

I have been a travellin' madwoman lately! I have been away from home LITERALLY for the last month and a half! Over a month in Mexico, then a couple weeks in TN for family visits, and 4 workshops. (more on them later!) Got home last night, and am crazily beginning to dig out from avalanches of mail, emails, dirty clothes, no groceries... What did I find? A fantastic email! Whoo-Hoo! So excited to be in Cloth Paper Scissors Studios Magazine! And in the copy with Ty Pennington on the cover no less! Tickled doesn't begin to describe it!

If you would like a peek into my studio space, check out the Spring 2011 issue! Or, better yet, shoot me an email and we'll set up a workshop for you and your friends IN the studio!

http://www.interweavestore.com/Mixed-Media/Magazines/Studios-Spring-2011.html