Dispatch From LA

all systems GO

may i just say that when i collapse into my roomy plane seat on monday and head directly to europe i will be sighing a BIG sigh and falling fast asleep.  launching an online class, packing up my classroom closets and storage bin, securing a proper cat nanny, heading off on a leave of absence, and running out of gas are v.v. exhausting to do all at once.  i don't necessarily recommend, but it is all terribly wonderfully exciting.

TICKET TO VENICE class blog sneak peek

i decided it would be a lovely well-deserved splurge to get a nice premium economy seat.  you know.  so i can fall asleep in a cereal bowl instead of a sardine can.  so i did.

TICKET TO VENICE class blog

dear people who have your TICKET TO VENICE in your hand  here's a few last minute instructions:

as of 10:44 pm there are 78 of you NOT signed up for the daily postcards.  go HERE to do that.  and make it quick.  if you aren't signed up by tomorrow you'll miss out.  that would be sad. meh.

class starts bright and early tomorrow morning.  20 videos are rolling off my production line straight over to the class blog.  the pdf stitch instructions will be there too, and i'll start blogging from La Serenissima on the 19th.  tonight i will be sending out another test email to the postcard list in case you missed the first one.

 it hasn't sunken in yet that i have the next 8 months off.  yadda yadda yadda.  i'm rambling!  getting ready to go drown in a river of coffee and travel books.

posts related to my LOA can be found HERE and HERE

 

 

 

anarchist bees

 

help!  i'm trapped in a bee hive and i can't get out!

and also i can't make my hexagons orderly like you'd think they'd want to be.  hmmmm.

it's okay.  this is the hive of anarchist bees.

and this is a big ole pile of library cards that i'm having plenty of fun with.  some would say too much.  but some would be wrong.

i've been busy making my travel journal class sample for TICKET TO VENICE.  sorry but i can't show you the whole thing yet.  still working out kinks.

i've made an outline and i'm ticking things off my list.  my priority right now is getting a class description written, some decent photos taken, and opening up registration.  wide open.  i am shooting for a date of november 11th.  with our venice adventure beginning on december 15th.  maybe the 10th...

i'm terribly excited.  but the more i do the more i see there is to do.  which is good.  takes my mind off stressful school matters.  i hope to have a resolution on that hornet's nest in a couple of weeks time.  i'm taking action and i feel really GOOD about it.  to haphazardly quote maya angelou, change is bulldozing a path down the center of my mind.

in the meantime it's saturday. the moon is nearly full.  i have the entire week of thanksgiving OFF.  tomorrow is not monday.  life is good.

saturday on wednesday

an unexpected day off in the middle of the week in honor of yom kippur.

this is extremely excellent.  

i've had much less time to horse around than usual.

okay that's not true.  i ALWAYS find time to horse around.

i'm busy making things for Ticket to Venice, my upcoming class which is debuting in December.

 the beginning of the class is going to be instructional - the step-by-step construction of the travel journal.  

the middle is going to be travelogue from venice - blogging + videos

the end will be devoted to how i complete the travel journal once i'm back home.

i want you to feel like you're there with me - having the experience.  so to that end i'll be delivering digital collage style postcards daily to your inbox.  these will be printable.  and pardon me for blowing my own trombone, but they are freaking fabulous.

and there's more.  but i'd be getting ahead of myself if i kept on yapping.

so i'll stop.

for now...  and get back to work!

p.s.   ROD, FTB, and STENCILRY are still available {at lower prices.}

the back & forth motion

a friend sent me this big heavy scrap of wallpaper {from london!}  i keep looking at it.  thinking it will be perfect for my venice travel journal.

there are lots of ducks i have to get lined up for my new class debuting in december.  so i'm working on the foundation well in advance.  i spent last week drafting a really solid outline. i mean it seemed solid.  maybe it's the opposite of solid.  hmmmm.  i'm adding to it as i go along.  

Ticket To Venice.

 i've already given it a name!  i went and visited my sister last weekend at her new little cottage in san diego.  after i described the class and told her my tentative name she suggested this one instead.  saying it better captured the spirit of the class.  and you know what?  i agree!

at the core of the class is the travel journal of course - building it.  filling it. preparing.  all of that.  but then there's a whole other side to the class.  and like a story it has a beginning, middle, and end.  one that you can revisit anytime you feel like it.

and i do hate to be coy, but i'm not ready to deliver the full monty yet.  no can do.  have to let the back & forth motion of my art brain do its thing first.

but how about some more irrelevant french paper.  because it's pretty.  and because i can't show you the italian.

and how about an orange marmalade sky?

 

a pink & orange dome.  of sky. 

blazing blazing blazing

tulip porn carol turner facebook & buck moss

thing #1:  i started a facebook page.

 wait.  i mean i TRIED to start a page vs. a personal profile or whatever but my efforts met with failure.

 so i had to go the personal route.  my friend beavis was doing it.  

 highly intelligent conversation snippets between beavis and i:

what is the like button for?

what is the talking about button for?

let's friend each other.

what's the subscribe button for?

where is my wall?

okay well maybe you can see my wall, but shouldn't i be able to see my wall?

where do you post at?

what do you mean it's hidden?

why is it called a wall?

you mean if i accidently update my profile picture 900 times everyone will know?

you are unfriendable.

because i can't figure it out! that's why!

did you friend all the people who friended you otherwise how did they know you were there?

try to friend me again.

go take another screenshot my wall does not look like that.

thing #2:  paging carol turner.  carol turner.  carol turner.  email me i've sent you 5 emails.  fix your mailbox first though so when i email you back you'll get it.

thing #3:  FULL TILT BOOGIE is still on sale.  there is one scholarship class available thanks to carol lyles shaw.  if you have hit the skids and don't have a red cent to your name, but still want to take a journal/bookmaking class...email me PRIVATELY with a brief message.  i'll get in touch with you by january 15th with all the deets.

thing #4:  ROD is still on sale.   

thing #5:  i took out my macro lense and did some tulip exploration.  those saucy tulips!  ravishing aren't they?  they are from a bouquet my sister sent me for my birthday last week.

thing #6:  found 2 shots of buck moss from july... on the camera i used with the macro lense.  

taken about a week before he died.   so long sweet boy. 

a jumble of pages

i like seeing all of my recent pages together.  they're like a map, showing me where i've been and which direction i'm headed next.  my very own paint splattered GPS that says, "you are here."  and then...

"reconfiguring."  i love getting found.  and then lost again!

that bottom right page doesn't exist anymore.  i covered it up.  wish i hadn't.  but that's the fun of working things out in a book format.  a big container to hold your past impulses. 

sara berry made this book in full tilt boogie

  here's what's going on sale and staying on sale from december 1st - december 31st

FULL TILT BOOGIE

STENCILRY

clickity clack for more info!

the day after monday

tomatoes + plums + mozzarella 

a final warm day before storm clouds gathered.

let's eat outside.

with a big glass of fizzy elderflower soda.  whadda ya say?

~

my cute friend judy wise is offering this online class:

i haven't taken it and i don't know a single solitary thing about hot wax.  except that i screamed once when someone tried to hot wax my upper lip.  big sad face.  since it's JUDY offering the class i'm sure it will be worth it's weight in gold.  just sayin'.

And finally, extra clever LIbby was inspired by FTB to make this big stack of books for holiday gifts. In a stroke of genius she whipped up her own covers out of cardboard & fabric to sandwich the book blocks between.  So cool!

Between now and Halloween, FULL TILT BOOGIE will be on sale.  After the witching hour on the 31st prices revert back to normal.

GO HERE for more info.

Sticks & Salty Dogs!

This Salty Dog is helping only a little with my frayed nerves as I sit in the war zone that is LA on the 4th of July.  It's like The Big Bad Wolf is at my door and  I'm in the house made of sticks!  Sticks!  Where are my nerve pills? 

These are the stitches we did this, our 3rd week in FULL TILT BOOGIE.  Pat made the stunning journal above using a combination of Sewn Chains & Triple Chain stitches.  If you stop by her blog you'll see what else she's been making.  Both of these stitches are clever Keith Smith designs.   I was pretty excited when he graciously allowed me to teach them in FTB.  More than excited actually.  Delirious.

Michelle made the book above.  Go check out her blog to see all the books she's made!  Impressive!

Our photo album holds only some of the journals that this talented ambitious group of craft monkeys have been making.   By the way the 2 stitches above are deceptively simple!

If you're in the NYC area in September, Keith Smith will have an exhibit of his books at Bruce Silverstein Gallery.  He's been exploring the book structure for the last 40 years so I'm imagining this show will be a real visual feast.   

Of Lilies & Journals & Beehives

Here's what I've been doing:

Packing up my classroom for the summer, sheparding flocks of errant sheep back & forth across the school yard, eating peaches, sticking my nose deep into my blooming stargazer lilies and getting orange pollen all over my nose, going to the store WITH the pollen on my nose,  snuggling with my cat Buck who smells like a skunk, taking 2 hour naps,  watching So You Think You Can Dance and cheering like I'm at a concert.  WHILE.  I'm conducting all of that business.  My FULL TILT BOOGIERS have been stitching up some pretty awesome journals.

Sara made the one above.  I love the way she used baker's twine to sew her book together!

Gina made the one below.  It's big.  It's bright.  It's beautiful.  It's wow.   I'm going to get some blue waxed linen STAT!

If you want to be constantly filled with ideas, teach an online class.  The people who sign up for your class will amaze and delight you with their sheer creative SPUNK.  It's a buzzing bee hive of a class full of funny nice people.

Susan Elliot made this handsome journal.  Doesn't it look like some gunslinging outlaw woman might've carried it in her saddlebags and wrote on it at night around a campfire under the stars?

Michelle made this from an old record album while her cat Johnny nodded his approval.

Briana made this warm stunning journal.  The old leather albums have such charm!

There are more... Which, I'll be adding to a photo album on the sidebar.   

But for right now, I'm headed back outside to get some more orange pollen on my nose.

Pink Globes

I'm back so soon!  With a bouquet of giant PINK globes.

Pam has been on a cleaning reorganization spree and is selling some of her surplus vintage photo albums HERE which you can use in FULL TILT BOOGIE.   She just listed these tonight.  Go HERE to see more.  I can't wait to see what she does with one of these albums in class.  I am standing by, ready to steal her ideas and copy whatever she does.  

There are 5 spots left in FTB at the 50% off rate.  Additionally, A couple of extremely big-hearted people have asked if they can DONATE a class to someone in need.  I think that is a beautiful thing.  I have decided in turn, to donate 100% of the proceeds from those gifts to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.  I'll list the donor names on the FTB registration page - down at the bottom.  I'm not yet prepared to begin collecting names for those "gift certificates", but in the coming days I will let you know how to apply.

UPDATE:  as of this morning I have no more slots available for 35 buckeroos

UPDATE #9876543980

If you've emailed in the last couple weeks and your question has gone unanswered please EMAIL AGAIN!  I'm deep in a cycle of forgetting/remembering.  A repeat email will do the trick.

Full Tilt Boogie

I'm still here!  Right smack dab in the middle of a visual journaling brouhaha!  Here is the big motherload of information about FULL TILT BOOGIE.  All the details you've been waiting for.  In the coming days I'll make a little sidebar icon for easier access.

~

Full Tilt Boogie Sneak Peek...

I have been working away over here in Beatrix Potterville.  But alas my animal friends have NOT been helping me!  I've been going it alone.  And enjoying every mess-making minute of it.  There are piles of books & albums on every surface.  I leave a paper trail in every room.  Journaling my heart out.  I'm a fireball of ideas.  Full Tilt Boogie.  It's a labor of pure love.  That's a true story.

 

Video Music = "Fold" by José González

Final details coming by June 1st, Wednesday.  Class begins June 17th and will run for 4 long lovely weeks.  I'm looking forward.

Parrot Games!

Oh um, I'm still here!  Making books on video and watching the flowers bloom.

I was videotaping in my art room late this afternoon and one of the big flocks of parrots zoomed by.  Squawking and screaming.  Their winged shadows literally moving across these sunlit walls.  I ran outside, but missed their flight maneuvers.  This happened a few more times.  Parrot games!

And the epis presented me with a double bloom this morning.  

And last week a band of racoons were cavorting under my bedroom window at 3 a.m.  I sat up in bed and leaned into the window sill to talk to them.  I feel lucky to be surrounded by city wildlife.  At times I feel like I'm in a Beatrix Potter movie.

Full Tilt Boogie

Here it is!  The big mother of a post that's only slightly overdue.     When I'm off on an adventure in my art room.  I always think this is it, 'I'm in FULL TILT BOOGIE! ' Swimming in pure narcotic bliss.  I wanted a name to convey that gorgeous feeling of being lost in the moment.   Absorbed and transported by enthusiasm and love for the creative process.  And FTB sounded better than Vintage Photo Album or The June Class.

 By day I've been monkey whispering, but by night I've been moonlighting in my laboratory making class samples (some featured in this post), spinning idea after idea on my spinning wheel.  Now that they're mostly ready, I'm off to the next chapter in online class creation:  videotaping.  When I'm done with that I will be able to be more specific about price, supplies, registration logistics, and dates.

In the meantime, I can tell you about some of the supplies you will need. 

1.  Vintage  photo albums like these (check back in my categories under online classes to find tips on Ebay auctions and search terms)

OR these:

Celluloid, velvet, leather.  They'll all work.   Decide what size feels most comfortable to YOU.  Clasp intact or not, doesn't matter.  The condition of your album and your personal preference will dictate the type of journal you make.  I'll be making 2 different journals with the COVERS of the albums and 2 other journals with the inside photo frames.  If you have 2 vintage photo albums you can make all 4!  

For those who can't find a vintage photo album.  You can use books like these:

OR these:

If you can't find books like those you can use ANY BOOK you have on hand.   If you're afraid of not finding a vintage photo album fear not!  Ideas will blossom in your art brain during class that you hadn't thought of before. 

If you don't have photo frames you can use cardboard or whatever your imagination deems appropriate.  If you're a crafty gangster I know you can find alternatives!  I'll be teaching you 2 chimp-proof binding stitches that are surprisingly simple, and that I haven't taught before.  Both are very common, classic bindings.  Neither are complicated.   Both will make you feel like an Awesome Genius when finished.

You'll also need a small bit of fabric - under a 1/2 yard in total, but can be composed of scraps like this:

The pages of one of the journals will be a jumbled mix of fairly sturdy papers.  Unlike ROD, these pages will not get the sewing treatment.   They will also lie flat.  During class I will demo working in a longer, odd-sized album, and a small album of perhaps 6 by 9.  You can work in an oompa loompa sized album, a monster album, or any size you choose.

  
A sewing machine will NOT be required, however it may be useful.  You can get by without one.

My intention for FULL TILT BOOGIE is to open a can of ideas.  The journal-building portion of the class will be detailed, explicit instruction.   Once you have your journal made we'll switch gears to begin the visual journaling process on the inside pages.  This will be less instructional.   I won't play teacher here.  I'm just going to be ME doing MY thing (lots of different things) and you can watch.  Simple.   If you have questions I'm here for you.  As a student I always learn the very most from watching people and I think this is the beauty and wonder of online classes - the ability to watch someone make something.  

  I will talk about my process, but mostly I'll SHOW not tell.  I will be using a combination of photos, collage bits, various papers, tape, glue, ink and a little paint thrown in for good measure.     FULL TILT BOOGIE  will be rooted in my ongoing visual journal practice.   

If you are a novice or seasoned visual journal keeper I invite you to climb on board and relax into a natural rhythm of visual journaling that is uniquely your own.  Your big world.  Through your eyes.  On your pages.  Captured on paper.  Through repeated dedicated practice my hope is that you will grow bolder, more confident, less critical, more enthusiastic about this rich wise act of mess-making.

FTB will be ongoing and open indefinitely.  You can revisit the videos and pdf's as often as you like for as long as you like. (providing you don't lose your password!)  Start immediately or watch the videos and let your ideas simmer for as long as you want.  No stress or guilt allowed.

Photo Albums On Ebay

My screenshots are a little blurry, but you get the idea.  Here are a few auctions I've had my eye on.  Note the winning bids.   This is a small fraction of what's available on EBAY.  All of these photo albums would be suitable for the upcoming JUNE class.  The size of the album doesn't matter, but do select a size you're comfortable working in.  I'll be making journal structures in a small album as well as a large one.  Your album will need the CDV photo frames inside.  Whether or not they have actual photos inside doesn't matter.   If the photo frames have all separated from the spine - not a problem!   

ETSY also has lots of these kinds of vintage photo albums.  Have fun looking!  

travelogue

Nearly finished with my Paris travel journal.  Which means I'll be putting 100% of my creative energy into my upcoming June class.  I can't wait to share more details with you about the journals we'll be building.  

This is the type of vintage photo album to look for:

Having just recently bought a dozen or so on Ebay within the last week, I can tell you they are plentiful.  Ranging in price from 10 bucks for some fabulous falling apart junky ones, to 80 bucks for something more pristine.  If the description says RARE I don't even look.  If the price is over 80 bucks I don't look.  There really is something in every price category, but you MUST be persistent - dogged.  Lately I come home every single day and check the listings, put them on my watch list, and see what they're selling for.  Here are the words that lead to the best results.  Try THEM ALL:

• victorian photo album
• antique photo album
• vintage photo album
• celluloid photo album
• cabinet card photo album
• CDV photo album

Check Etsy too.  One of you lovely blog readers emailed me this week to say you found  an album there, I went and checked and there are tons!  Don't get discouraged by the high prices if you keep at it you will find something you can afford.  There is no shortage and more and more get listed every day.  Check the BUY NOW category too when searching if you are auction impaired.  A few more tips:  DO NOT bid, instead put it on your watch list and swoop down 10 seconds before the auction ends.  Bidding runs the prices up for everyone.  Much better strategy to swoop down like a hawk.  Find auctions ending at strange times, much less hawks circling at those times!  By the way this hawk won't be competing with you - I'm done bidding.  

I'll be showing you 3 different journal structures to make with these albums.  Naturally, we won't just make journals.  We'll be filling them up too!  1 of the structures will be made with the actual photo frame cards inside the albums.

Nearly everything else for the class will come from your existing stash.  If you don't find an album you can use an old book with cool covers.  If you don't have any photo frame cards you can use anything that is stiff - cardboard or chipboard will work!  In other words if you're crafty and clever you'll find alternatives that work for you.  I promise.  If you're ambitious and have extra cash burning a hole in your pocket, pick up a couple of these albums.

If you have extra photo albums and want to sell your surplus, contact me with your details so I can send people your way.  I've had A LOT of inquiries.  My Nikon is in the shop but the second I get it home I'm going to start filming the class.  I'll have a promo video, more photos of exactly what we're making, plus more details than you can shake a stick at by early June.  Class will follow in mid June.   Thank you for your boundless enthusiasm.  I appreciate and value it very much.  More than you'll ever know.  100% true story!

your seat can be used as a flotation device

ARMCHAIR TRAVELERS PREPARE FOR TAKE OFF.  those of you in my pocket snuggle in.  it's going to be a non-stop 10 hour and 40 minute ride.  bring snacks.  i'll wake you when we land.

~

um.  bags are packed.  sweet corky, the cat nanny has arrived.  flight leaves later this afternoon.

decided to sew a journal bag for safekeeping.  its total guerilla manic made in an hour grab the nearest thread you can find style.  sort of like if charlie sheen suddenly got a wild hair to make a vera bradley bag.  you know?  

this travel journal was an extra special labor of love so didn't want to just stash it in my purse. it's a big fat scrap happy duct taped mess.  you'll see more once i get to paris... from that cafe i mentioned.

i HATE to turn this post into an advertising pitch.  blech.  but quite frankly if you're interested in my next online class, (debuting in june) i want you to get a jumpstart on finding a few things you're gonna need!  vintage photo frames, vintage photo album, maybe an old ledger with a cool spine, a mountain of scraps.  get yourself over to ebay and be persistent.  find auctions that end at strange times and swoop down at the last minute.  go to flea markets, yard sales, raid your grandmother's attic.  even if you find not one single one of those things...  your imagination is going to lead you down alternative paths.  not going to mention the class thing again until i have more succulence on the bones of my BIG IDEA.  promise.  the old photo album travel journal gig i've been on the last few weeks sparked a wildfire.  just sending you some smoke signals.  letting you know what's up.

{au revoir les enfantes!}

see you in paris.

Just Because I Wanted To

 Until at least 1/31...maybe longer.

Info on ROD HERE.  Info on STENCILRY HERE.

Please pay extra close attention to password information at the bottom under CAUTIONARY NOTES (after the jump).

Classes are now open indefinitely, but that only applies IF your passwords currently work. 

Autumn Arrives

~

REMAINS OF THE DAY updates and information:

I've decided to keep your access to the videos and class blog OPEN.  Originally if you registered prior to June 2010 your access ended this coming December.  No more!  I'm postponing the cut off date indefinitely.  This class has been like standing under one giant shining lucky star.  Enrollment has been consistent since the class began last December.  I never imagined it would grow so large.  Or that I would form bonds with so many of the people in the class.  Or that so many nice people would show off their journals and spread the word this far and wide.

THANK YOU.  I am grateful.

Kas, one of the generous ROD class members emailed me the other day to say she wanted to sponser someone in need.  In other words PAY their full tuition.  That really happened.  I'm going to contribute another 2 classes for someone else.  So 3 free spots in the class.  Send me an email with a brief description of your circumstances.  Special consideration given to the unemployed, recently laid off, or stay-at-home moms with no extra dough for yourself. When the spots are filled I'll update this post with the info.  Naturally, your name will be kept private.

*click on the words "email me" top right sidebar

***All 3 free class spots are filled as of 10/12***

Online Class Updates

STENCILRY debuted in spring of 2009.  There are 33 videos and 77 full-color PDF pages. It's still available, but since it's one year old I've permanently lowered the price to $50.  Class info & sneak peek available HERE.

OR you can knock yourself out and register for both of my stenciling classes (STENCILRY and STITCHED & STENCILED) at the same time for $65.    45 videos and 91 pages of full-color PDF.  I stand at the ready with smelling salts should you need them.  Go HERE to register.

Stitched & Stenciled is still available a la carte to those students who've already taken Stencilry.  Both of the stenciling classes are archived in their original format.  Price changes reflected above are permanent.

Happy Sunday Cute People

The little downhill flowing brook that bloomed in the lane next to my house yesterday has dried up.  A big dose of lemony sunshine arrived this morning.

A hot sunshine spotlight centered right over Moss Cottage.  After my shower I air-dried out back in my towel.  Don't worry it's private!  More or less.   Besides my motto since my birthday has been, "I'm 47 and I can do what I want when I want." 

Yes I can!  I'm pretty much unstoppable.  You would be too if you had on a pair of party pants.  I'm off to stir up trouble in the neighborhood.  Then it's back inside for more artful experimenting.  Happy Sunday, cute people!

PURE EXPERIMENTATION Online Class News (mostly for the benefit of those who subscribe in a reader format)

REMAINS OF THE DAY is open for registration.   

STENCILRY is open for registration.

I'm going to continue to funnel 100%  of the Stitched & Stenciled proceeds into a Haitian Relief Fund.  You can read more about that HERE.

Haitian Relief Fund

If you have already taken STENCILRY and you've been considering taking STITCHED & STENCILED, the companion class... now may be the time.  If you register for STITCHED & STENCILED between January 16 -  March 1, 2010 I am donating 100% of the proceeds to The RED CROSS Haitian Relief Fund.  If you are currently enrolled in STENCILRY you can find out more information on the class blog HERE.  If you are a former student just zip me out an email and I'll send you exact instructions on how to proceed.  Basically, your donation receipt is your ticket into the class.

UPDATE:  $405.00 donated.  Thank you Maz, Kathleen, Dinah, Sandy, Rebecca,  Cathy,

Barbara, Andrea, Bernie, Kathy, and Nelly!!!

Giveaway #4

 Sherri  #239 who left your comment on 12/18 @ 8:10am  YOU are this week's winner of your very own golden ticket to REMAINS OF THE DAY.   Email me or comment here to claim your prize!   

I'll spin the wheel one last time next Tuesday.  Kind of difficult to believe that Christmas will have come and gone by then isn't it?

 

Registration will be open until December 31st.  The FOR SALE sign will be taken down from January 1 - 15th.  I'll put it back up again once I return from my trip down south to Merida, Mexico.   If you're in the class never fear!  I'm carrying all of you with me in my suitcase, or pocket.  One or the other.  And as for the rest of you, you can come too if you want!  I'll be blogging & adventuring & travel journaling from my place in the sun.

By the way, you'll want to have a look at what some of the hardcore gangster crafters  have been up to in class.  Only a week out and  already a few have started revving their sewing machine motors, rolling up their t-shirt sleeves, and putting their pedals to the metal.  I've only had to break up a couple of fights so far.  Go HERE to check out the talent. Tomorrow they begin their pages.

A Flickr Christmas

 1. the winter of my content, 2. a 'gleeful' corner..., 3. Untitled, 4. 5, 5. mr snowman, send me some snow, make it the coldest that I've ever known...., 6. Baked and varnished, 7. Christmas Reflections in Paris, 8. Untitled, 9. Untitled

Happy Monday dear readers.  I was home sick today nursing my earache, but will be back on full monkey patrol tomorrow.  Tomorrow is the first day of class and another giveaway!  A generous flock of registrants has floated my way down winter's snowy digital highway.  For that I am grateful.  I have decided to offer up 5 more half-price tickets to REMAINS OF THE DAY.  If a $30 price tag is more within your reach please send me an email.  The only requirement is NEED.  Well, that and a sewing machine. I'll post here with an update once those slots are filled.

UPDATE:  Okay well, that was fast!  All 5 slots are filled.

24 Whirling Dervishes

I've been out of commission with an earache the last few days.  Somehow I survived our annual Christmas program at school, ushering 24 angels in white capes and gold tinsel back and forth from the classroom to the auditorium too many times to count.

I left my camera at school so I don't have the photo of 24 whirling dervishes spinning around on the school yard.  Who cares about singing when you can spin like a top afterwards?  Not my monkeys!

We're going off track on Friday until mid-February.  My days of monkey whispering are numbered.  More than anything I look forward to the S I L E N C E.  I need long stretches of uninterrupted quiet more than the average bear.

I've been putting the finishing touches on REMAINS OF THE DAY.  Bright and early on the 15th Part 1 will come shooting out of the art cannon and landing in a computer near you.  Oh the wonders of the digital age!   

If you're in the class, your passwords and class blog info were sent within hours (sometimes minutes) of you registering.  All info. is mailed to your Paypal email unless you request otherwise.  If you can't find it zip me out an email and I'll resend.   If you registered under a different name or email let me know so I know where to begin the search & rescue.  

p.s.  I uploaded a little bonus video to the class blog this evening. 

THIS JUST IN!  

 Dearest MA, In todays' paper the Target ad has a Singer Tradition sewing machine with 10 stitch patterns and an automatic button-holer for $69. I thought you might want to pass this along on your blog for those who don't yet have a machine! Cheers Nona