Adventures in Pretty

Countdown to Journalfest!!!!!!!!!!

Today I feel like a cross between Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy as I sit happy as a clam, putting together colorful packets of goodies for each of my students for Journalfest, an amazing art retreat happening in Port Townsend, WA, USA. NEXT WEEK!! One week from today we'll be gathered together and creating up a storm. Art supplies are my weakness, and goodness knows, I'm not alone! : ) The house is covered with the flotsam and jetsam that comes with Journalfest preparations. 

On Friday I'm teaching Joyful Altered Book, where we'll take an existing book, and convert it into a journal. Below are images for that class:

On Saturday, I'm teaching Handful of Gatherings where we'll be incorporating ribbon, fabric, images and paint to create pages that speak to what makes us happy or to dreams we have. Below are images for that class:

I love the ferry ride over to the peninsula. With luck it will be clear and sunny again this year!

The people who come are all wonderful. The level of happiness, and creative inspiration is truly delightful.

Did I say the creativity is amazing?!! Costumes are welcome! Many people dress up for the closing night party where we sit in a large room and journal together to live music.

If you get a sudden urge to join us-it isn't too late. Go here for all the details. Teesha is accepting registrations up to the start of the retreat. This is one of those experiences that is so hard to accurately describe with just words-it can be truly transformational. Looking forward to seeing some of you there! 

I'm off to supervise the elves (okay, I am the sole elf-but I can pretend can't I?). Have a great day!!

Fuzzy Scarves, Stormy Skies, and Journal Doodles

Yesterday I was on the east side of the house, preparing for Journalfest, setting out my hand made scarves and deciding which color to make next. I'll be selling these at Journalfest. I LOVE fuzzy. I LOVE color. And if you put the two together you get these:

I'm the kind of person who takes out clothing tags if they are even slightly scratchy-so I'm super picky about choosing only soft yarns.

When I went to the west side of my house to get something out of my studio, I was so taken by the stormy splendor outside my window that I had to stop and take it in. 

I love it when the sky looks like an oil painting.

(click to enlarge this one)

It was so stunning.

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Last week I met a friend for lunch in the International District. Afterwards I had 25 minutes left on my parking sticker, so I went over to Uyajimaya's, a wonderful, very large grocery and small goods store for all things Asian. They have a super bookstore with paper and PENS! So I tried out some of them and found one I really liked. And the best part... I was walking to my car and saw the parking maid WAITING. I had just 2 minutes left!! I ran to my car and beat the clock!

After I got home... well how long do YOU wait to try out new art supplies?? After all... Life is short... One really should try out art supplies before doing chores.. you know.. just in case. : )

So here are some of my doodles with the new brush point pen (Zebra brand, #WF1 150, bar code 4 901681566808-all the other writing is Japanese so I can't tell you anything more).

(click to enlarge)

(click to enlarge)

So the countdown is on! Two weeks until Journalfest! Teesha is accepting registrations until the retreat begins so if you decide that treating yourself to 3 days of yummy art journaling classes with instructors from around the U.S., a beach bonfire, spending time with some of the coolest people you'll ever meet, and get a burst of creative energy and inspiration to last you through the dark days of winter-sounds like fun, come join us! : ) Teesha is also offering a special 2 night-1 workshop on Saturday (email her from the website if you are interested in this one). All info here

My next posts will be all about my classes and my favorite things about Journalfest. If you are going to Journalfest-please come up to me and say "Hi!". I'm SO excited! 

May you have the loveliest of days!!