MacKomics Studio

TTTPL Gift Bags

2012-05-20T13:28:00.000-05:00

Last week we revisited a popular project: Handmade Gift Bags

As you probably already know, I am a member of a small die-cutting collective. We own a table top die cutting machine that moves between studios as it is needed. Depending on who I'm talking to, its name is Delila the "Die-Cutter" or "The Beast".

It is a marvelous toy for which one can purchase infinite die blocks....

and even have custom ones made.....

It is made by AccuCut and is marketed primarily for Educational Institutions and Stationery Stores.

It operates by placing the paper on the foam bed, covering both with Plexiglas and then turning the hand crank so the tray slides through the roller which presses the foam down, exposing the die which then cuts the paper against the Plexiglas.

Here is a picture of the die block that makes the gift bags...... the shiny circle in the right hand lower corner is a music CD included for scale.

Here is the shape of the paper after it comes out of the die. This image is made from large scale photographs printed on matte photo paper.

The die cuts the paper and scores all the folds required to make the shape. Here are some pictures of the finished pieces from this latest session of Tending to the Pilot Light.

We had a lot of fun designing our bags and then decorating them with all the fantastic supplies available here at MacKomics Studio!!

I look forward to creating with you soon!

Liza

TTTPL Drawing, Doodling, Do it!

2012-05-20T12:42:00.000-05:00

In this series, we explored the art of drawing, doodling, illustration, cartooning - pretty much putting pencil to paper and playing with the outcomes.

I started the class with reminding students that we already know how to draw. Any one you see out there, drawing something, is drawing what they know. Not every illustrator can draw every thing. I can draw dog heads until the sun goes down... but draw the body? no way! same goes for lots of stuff. I can draw a face straight-on, but try and get a three quarter view, I can not do it! That does not mean that I couldn't learn through observation, practice and critique from others.

So we started at the basic beginnings. I created some mini lessons from my experience and from this book:

Drawing Lab by Carla Sonheim

You can order this book through The Raven Bookstore! or by emailing your order to them at books@ravenbookstore.com

I just love it.

First we drew a circle and discussed how to make it look three dimensional. We talked about choosing a light source direction and about leaving a sliver of white on the darkest side to give it that extra 3-d effect.... the reflection of the surface back onto the object!

Using cross hatching and bands of shading, adding a shadow, thickening lines, etc.

Then we took a lesson from the Drawing Lab book and drew random blobs and made them into creatures

We talked about three dimensional cubes, parallel lines and how to interpret a shape with certain rules that would always be the same. (Perspective without using the word "perspective")

We looked at scale - using the same object to define different sizes and settings

Then we took a common shape (the can of food), and by changing its scale and form slightly, we derived numerous other objects.

Once we had created a three dimensional vase or cup, (preparation for a face.... a can shape but more narrow on the bottom) we talked about cartoon ways of indicating features on a face, shortcuts that illustrate major shadow areas. Shadows are defined by plains that block the light source... the top lip has an overhang, the nose, the chin... etc. Using methods from earlier in the evening, we worked on these features. Noses, ears, eyes, lips... all very easy to apply with a few strokes

We combined them into a face, using the "draw the second eye with the paper upside down" method to double fake-out the brain which is trying to make the second eye symmetrical with the first but always puts it too high or too low because it sees a "Face", not a composition. Really! It's true and the trick works!

I apologize for the disparate levels of photo quality here... some images are scanned on a flatbed and some were taken in evening light indoors... bah!

We then did another project from the Drawing Lab book and made our own Modigliani - style faces:

Next, we did some quick lessons on single point perspective, drew simple leaves and feathers and one easy heart shaped bird image trick.

Look at all these sketches - aren't my students fabulous??! ANYONE can draw, and.... anyone can draw well!

This was probably the most exciting Tending to the Pilot Light I have ever taught. Being able to organize my drawing, doodling, illustration, sketching experiences, to share all these tips and tricks and see the light go on in people's eyes was just fantastic.

I played some more with the faces....

click to enlarge

I look forward to creating with you soon!

TTTPL Art Journals Final

2012-05-20T10:10:00.001-05:00

At last... photos from the final projects in our Art Journal Series

Each of these unique books is full of pages and pockets and envelopes and ephemera just waiting to be discovered.

Students combined various paper types and sizes, as well as other materials like the glassine library pocket shown on the right, above.

The final pieces are amazing!

We used 5 x 7 matte board and frames to create the covers.

Envelopes and other little pockets were sometimes sewn right into the binding

Maps, music paper, collage and painted decorations were included.

Here is another glassine pocket decorated with rosettes painted on book pages.

Here is an example of one of the accordion fold sheets incorporated into the design.

Here is a double page foldout with a vintage book chapter heading used as a decoration.

Detail of the pages.

Here is a quick pamphlet fold book made in one evening by a very creative student!

The finished project gave students a vessel in which to keep adding and creating!

One more interior picture with saved fortunes and a library card pocket detail.

This was a long project and many people were unable to come back and complete their interiors. If you are one of these or would like to begin anew, please give me a call and we can collaborate.

I really enjoyed facilitating the process, witnessing the compositional choices and reveling in the collective satisfaction from creating such amazing pieces. My students are fantastic!

Have a great week

I look forward to creating with you soon.

Liza

TTTPL Graphic Composition Two

2012-04-28T13:26:00.000-05:00

Here are a few more photos from a Tending to the Pilot Light session focused on victory over the blank page.

How often do you sit down all ready to do some project and suddenly find yourself staring at the baleful, blank, uncompromising expanse of the white piece of paper or canvas, the bolt of fabric, the assorted tools of your craft, the raw materials around you - only to have your intent, your creative juices squeezed right out of you.

Sometimes it happens even before I start... it's as if there is a virtual blank page in my mind.... looming, pristine and unblemished in front of me... just daring me to make my mark, to create something FANTASTIC, something worthy/beautiful/meaningful/compelling/_you fill in your own creative block here. Writer's block, artistic paralysis, loss of inspiration/muse... etc.

The exercises we played with over the last few weeks were in direct response to this phenomenon. And the key word is "play". Breaking down the seriousness, pressure, the dramatic musts, shoulds and aughts around creativity is the only way to get past these roadblocks. Not every piece has to be a MASTERpiece.... the steps we take in the direction of a "finished" piece are just as important as the result. It is in the DOING, the ACTION of creating that we find our direction, our peace, our true selves.

Breaking down the page...

I am really excited by some of the work I've been doing lately. Using old book pages as a base, I've been painting through punchinella, using lace as a monotype texture, employing texture and pattern stamps and painting through pre-cut stencils.

This work is very rewarding and is not with the intention of creating a finished piece, rather to create richly textured backgrounds that may become part of a greater whole in the future.

Here are a few examples:

(click to enlarge)

Here is a link to my dress-a-day blog where I used these techniques to make a bunch of recent pieces: http://mackomics-studio-dress-a-day.blogspot.com/

In other news:

Next weekend - Art in the Park! Go to South park and enjoy great variety of fine art and creative mixed media! I'll be at the info table during most of the AM hours, so stop by and say hi!

The Lawrence Art Center's summer catalogue is out and online... I'll be teaching a number of classes including teen and adult offerings.

I have a new feature on this blog: Student Resources. I will be populating this site with online and other resources I use for my business or for classes taught here at MacKomics Studio or at the Lawrence Arts Center. Click "Student Resources" up on the right of the blog under "Pages". Scroll to the class you've taken and find all sorts of goodies!

Have a great week. This Thursday, we will be doing some drawing and doodling in Tending to the Pilot Light..... tips and tricks to get that pencil moving on the page!

Liza

TTTPL Graphic Composition

2012-04-15T21:12:00.002-05:00

This week at Tending to the Pilot Light (April 12, 2012) we played with a number of methods designed to break down the power of the blank page.

Using layers, contrasting colors, perspective and some plain old fun, participants left with 4 or 5 mini compositions.

Here are some pictures:

We played with colored inks and straws - blowing tendril patterns onto the page to break up the expanse...

We created fantastical maps with distinct shorelines to acclimate our eyes to the use of 1/3 or 1/5 page grid systems...

Don't they look great all lined up together?

We swooshed ink onto the page in random patterns and then turned it around to find creatures or objects emerging on their own....

We worked all evening, intermittently, on layering textures and colors onto a single piece, each step in the progress carefully calculated....

We worked on a simple collage incorporating a horizon line designed to compliment or create friction with the collage piece.....

Even though these pieces are really fun and quite well done, the exercises were not about a finished project; rather a series of lessons to fill that creative toolbox with techniques for BEGINNING the process... tricks to get past that blank page... that great expanse of white!

I look forward to creating with you!

Have a great week

Liza

Fascinating Fascinators at the Lawrence Arts Center

2012-04-01T11:46:00.003-05:00

I just wrapped up my first class at the Lawrence Arts Center a couple of weeks ago and would like to share some of the wonderful accessories my students created over the course of eight weeks.

Each week was centered around a type of fabric or a specific method. For example, one week we worked exclusively with ribbons, another with cotton fabrics, and another with all recycled materials.

Here are some of the projects completed .... I've seen some of the final projects in process and personally can not wait to see these beauties once they are finished!

Final project: working on composition for the final project - buttons, feathers, rolled ribbon rosettes

Final project: working with vintage velvet petals and burnt edge organza

Final project: trying out the angle of the feather accent on the final project

Designer headband made with feathers, rolled ribbon rosettes, glass beads and netting from a fruit bag

Beautiful petite hair accessories made with a cotton yoyo and a satin ribbon rolled rose

A super luxe burnt edge organza accessory

A stunning buttons, beads, organza and feather brooch and below it a multi layered pleated rose with a velvet yoyo and button accent accessory

A study in contrasts, complex burnt edge organza and designer fabric/vintage button pieces

Three cute headbands for a toddler, using felt, ribbon and cotton yoyo techniques

Using many of the felt techniques from class, one student even made a full sized holiday wreath!

Combining techniques to make an elegant Mother-of-the-Groom hair accessory

Clever use of recycled materials to make unique hair combs

Two of my students sporting Fascinating Fascinators! The Dr. Seuss hat on the left was a great hit at the School Library Fair it was designed for!

I really enjoyed teaching this class.... and I believe the students had a good time too!

This is being offered again at LAC - click on this link to view the summer catalogue: http://issuu.com/artsinaction/docs/aia2012?mode=window&backgroundColor=%23222222

Art Journals

2012-04-01T11:01:00.001-05:00

The art journal project continues at Tending to the Pilot Light.

Here are some more pictures of covers and some books starting to take shape. This last week we actually started stitching. Next week we will have one more stitching session and be finished with the project.

Here is an inside cover with a hand made envelope attached, complete with melted and torn edge pieces, stamping, distressing, found images and book pages

Antiqued doily and re-assembled holiday card elements make an intriguing mixed media piece

Here is the inside cover with the envelope open

Assembling signatures and adding handmade pocket elements - note the use of handmade paper combined in a single signature.

Here are a few pics of my "finished" art journal. I say "finished" because I need to un-bind the last section and re-do the stitches. In my excitement to complete the project, I omitted a step on each station and the book does not sit snug-ly together as it should.

In addition to the mixed cut-to-signature paper, I provided extra long paper for participants to create accordion fold out pages.

TTTPL Art Journals Week Two

2012-03-04T14:00:00.001-06:00

Good afternoon, happy Sunday to you.

This Art Journal endeavor has taken on a life of its own. I had envisioned a project where we worked on parts, set them aside and then revisited every month or so. Clearly, the enthusiasm has propelled this into a multi-week consecutive process. My students have asked for yet another week of the same initial phase of this project. This means that anyone who has not yet started their art journals at MacKomics Studio has another week to get in on the action!

Supplies and activities available the past two weeks and next include:

Paper: tissue, sheet music, handpainted rosettes, scrapbook-patterned, doilies, vintage imagery (1910-1970), maps, books, mini commercial die cut, fine art, cardstock, velum, handmade

Other: see-thru colored plastic, metal frames and brads, jewels, ribbon, buttons, stickers

All sorts of glue and mod podge, fancy edge scissors, glitter, image transfer files, fabric, markers, paint, colored pencils, art pens, metallic powder paint, pastels

Table top die cutter to make custom envelopes, library pockets, and various flower shapes in the paper of your choice.

The tables are not sufficient to hold all the materials so we've cooped the work tables on one side of the room just to hold all the bins!

The pictures below depict work begun this week and alterations to work begun the week before.

Here is a completed front and back:

Here is a front and back from last week with some beautiful additions. The inside surface of these covers are shown just below.

Here are the inside covers of a few pieces completed last week:

I can tell from these photos that a few projects got out the door prior to picture taking so I'll be making some calls and updating this post when they come in!

Speaking of updating posts, there is one more completed Vignette Jewelry Brooch update and one Open Cards Crafting update - click the links to get the latest!

Last week, I started the post with pictures of books I've checked out of the Library to bring inspiration to this project. The first one, Painted Pages by Sarah Ahearn Bellemare, I chose specifically for its approach to creating an artistic journal page.

In an attempt to emulate this style and thereby teach my students.... I created three successive pieces. The first picture is a scan from the book so you can see what I'm talking about.... I really appreciate the use of white, the simplicity and balanced layout of these pages.

As you can see from these examples, I get super excited about the materials and then just put too much on the page.... the piece below has an image transfer, stamps, three different grid papers, paint, magazine image, gel medium, gesso, wallpaper sample, cancelled stamp, colored pencil, sharpie, metal frame and brads... I really need an art-intervention here!

So, I started out with the same materials and actually had to cut out part of the image since it was going down the same path as the one above. However, I believe it is closer to the graceful simplicity from the examples in the book. It still has a cancelled stamp, colored pencil, gel medium, stamps, a tag, image transfer, decorative tape, paint and two kinds of grid paper!

So, I decided to actually do an exercise from the book... there is no collage here, but I think I got a lot closer to my goal of serenity. This is a little piece, just about 6 by 6 and I'm pleased. What do you think?

So... in other news... my Fascinating Fascinators class at the Lawrence Arts Center is swinging into its last two weeks and we have finished up two weeks of upcycled projects and are moving into our final projects. Here are some pictures of the fun pieces I prepared for the upcycled portion of the class.

I started with a random selection of materials I regularly save for art projects or the Earth Day recycled art event (more to come on this later!)

Here is the a casino-ready fascinator made from fruit bags, playing cards, tiddly winks, and one die all attached to a plastic hot chocolate lid cut to make a shallow cone shape. This accessory lies flat on the head.

This diminutive red one was created by cutting circles from hard plastic packaging and applying heat to transform the shape. It also contains a red circle cut from a metallic coffee bag, "feathers" cut from a warped badminton birdy, the backs of playing cards, a few beads and lots of hot glue.

This clear one also employed heat on a circle cut from hard plastic packaging. I cut a spiral into the circle and bent it into a rosette shape as it softened in the heat. The "leaves" were made by layering two pieces of plastic cut from one of those flexible zipper pouches new sheets are encased in. In between the layers, I placed cancelled stamps and some large webbed fruit bag netting.

This mini "pill-box" hat was made from a strip of hard plastic packaging taped into a circle. I unwound a new (1) bath scrubby and cut a length from it, opened the tube (yes, they are tubes of netting...) and inserted the plastic circle. I used invisible thread to secure the inside to itself and then just tied a knot/bow in the center. The spiral decorations are paper clips.

I cut additional pieces of hard plastic packaging into feather shapes and then applied some heat to warp them slightly.

This next piece is fairly elaborate... the plastic hot chocolate lid base is covered with fabric flower petals and then scrap netting, pieces of a broken christmas decoration and another bath scrubby were used for the top. The wings were cut from hard plastic packaging and scored with scissors to give them more dimension.

I really enjoyed preparing these examples for my students and tried to only use materials COMMON to any household... the fabric petals may have been stretching this definition a bit!

I've asked my students to bring in all their creations this week, so hopefully, we will have a gallery of their fabulous fascinators to show in the near future.

One last question: I've started this little piece and wonder whether it should be a brooch, barette, or just part of a larger fascinator compostition... what do you think?

If you haven't checked in recently, I'm up to 63 dresses over at Dress-a-Day! Click the link and leave me a comment!

I hope your weekend is going great and that the week ahead brings you fulfillment, happiness and plenty of rest.

Take care

Liza

TTTPL Handbound Journals

2012-02-26T11:48:00.000-06:00

Hello - Happy Sunday!

This week at Tending to the Pilot Light, we started a new project: hand bound journals.... We started with the covers. Using ideas and inspiration from these great books from the Lawrence Public Library, we began the multi-week project.

We are working in a relatively small scale: 5 x 7 inches, using mat board cut to that shape. This week, each student has the task of creating a front and back cover. Supplies ranged from fabric, stickers, tissue, lace, playing cards, mixed art papers, mini images and lots of glue and glitter.

Here are some of the results... a few projects made it out the door without being photographed but I will post those pics when they come in.

Participants had the option of composing vertically or horizontally and several even managed to complete both covers in one night!

This week, we will finish the covers and begin planning the interior pages. I have cut paper for signatures and will have the equipment available to create custom envelopes in several sizes as well as library card style pockets to be eventually bound into the book. If you missed the first week and still want to be involved in this particular project, all the cover making supplies will be out this week as well. We will NOT commence the binding portion of this project this week.

If you are looking for inspiration for the theme or "look" for your interior pages, please google "art journals" on the web and you will find amazing results.

and here is a link to our very own local artist Traci Bunker's YouTube channel where she has posted some very interesting art journal videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/TraciBunkers/featured

If you get a chance in the next day or two and are at the Lawrence Public Library, take a look at the display case right in front of the children's room.... a certain young penguin lover on tennessee street has graciously allowed Lawrence to view her collection.

I hope you have a lovely week!

Liza

TTTPL - Burnt Organza Accessories

2012-02-18T16:37:00.001-06:00

Good afternoon readers!

I'm so impressed with the creations that leave here each Tues and Thurs evening! and what fun we have making them....

This week we played with fire, yes... very small flames, but, yes, fire and poly fibre fabrics.

Man-made textiles have a dramatic and beautiful reaction to heat - check out these layered roses:

There were a few that managed to leave the house without photos but I'll post them if I can catch up to their creator!

Here is one I made for my sis... a custom piece she dubbed "Le Pavot" (The Poppy)

It has a nice shape, hugging back around her head. (I'll post a pic if I can get "zee O.K.")

Like many of our projects, I'm loath to pack up the materials because it becomes the "one and only" that I want to be spending my time on! The problem with having lots of interests is that you get pulled in a million directions at once, so this weekend is a stay at home, get the domestic situ in better shape, spend time with the girl and not... start... any... more... projects!

Last weekend I had a great time in the print room with my friend L. and here are a couple of links to my "Dress-a-Day" page showing some of the fun stuff I made with puffy paint prints!

http://mackomics-studio-dress-a-day.blogspot.com/2012/02/dress-fourty-three.html

http://mackomics-studio-dress-a-day.blogspot.com/2012/02/dress-48.html

This next week for Tending to the Pilot Light, we will be making 4 x 6 two dimensional art pieces to participate in ..... No way... rats CITY! I just went to get info on this project to relate it to you and even though the deadline for signing up is not until March.. it is full!

Seriously, this was going to be a great Art-Coop project.

so... (significant pause here, while i comb through supplies and ideas.....)

This next week for Tending to the Pilot Light, we will be starting a larger project that will be revisited over time. I will provide 5 x 7 mats that will be the basis for covers for handmade art journals. We will decorate them with mixed media and start talking about projects for the inside pages. In the future, we will bind art paper pages into these covers, using a coptic stitch binding (for easy and flat display).

For this week, in addition to the mats, I have matching double layer framed mats with an opening of 2 5/8 x 4 5/8 inches. As you prepare for class this week, think about combining these items, nesting treasures within the frame, or creating layers of imagery between transparent sheets. I will have a full range of materials available to create portrait or landscape oriented art journal covers. If you think about a theme ahead of time, your design choices will flow quickly and you will be able to accomplish a great deal in our short time together. Google art journals, and check out all the different directions you can go within these parameters!

Notice to other creative types (including my talented students!) - Jump into teaching in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere....

I am interested in hosting guest artists and have some nibbles already: Art Dolls, Mail Art, and possibly Jewelry making from a friend in KC. Please contact me if you are interested in teaching for a week. I will host the classes, provide the space and do all the clean-up. You bring materials, teach and the class fees are yours!

Is there any interest in once a month weekend projects? We could meet for 3-4 hours on a Saturday and have a larger project, or work on completing existing projects... I'm open for ideas and looking for feedback - please let me know what you would like.

Check out this link for additional photos... scroll to the end for more valentine pictures!

I hope you have a great week - take care!

Liza

More fun with felt

2012-02-12T13:35:00.000-06:00

I had so much fun playing with felt in my Lawrence Arts Center class and making brooches in our Tending to the Pilot Light Classes a couple of weeks ago that I keep making more schtuff. C. gave me this cute magazine(thanks!) which was the inspiration for the brooches:

Here are the brooches I made last night...

a close up of the hair...with teensy weensy felt rosettes and beads

and some of the poppy hair bling ...

These are fun and simple to make and use up all those leetle bits of felt left over from more medium sized projects!

Have a great weekend

Liza

TTTPL - Open Card Crafting

2012-02-11T19:06:00.001-06:00

Good evening readers!
I'm excited to spend some time in the print room tomorrow, so posting my weekly report on Saturday evening - one day early.

I am typing on a new computer... all fast and slick - the tower sitting here on the desk ...looking everything like a cylon except for the left and right motion of the thin red light emanating from the top third of the front facade. Since I spend 2-4 hours a week processing photos for this blog each week, I was delighted to be able to open 20 at a time (blink blink blink) without freezing the whole system, without any warning messages telling me I would compromise functionality etc. Thanks to an excellent computer guy (Thanks D.!!) I have now jumped forward light years in computer speed and efficiency. And...here's a special thank you to my old workhorse HP who did its best for the last 6 years.

Enough with the boring 'puter stuff.. let's get on to ART

This week (February 14th and 16th) we will be revisiting burnt edge organza accessories. And yes, I will have class on the 14th, I'll have all the materials set up just in case anyone doesn't have valentine plans!

This week's challenge was to host a two day blow out over the weekend and then be ready by tuesday evening for a new Tending to the Pilot Light class. Here is the before and after photos from Tuesday!

This was quite a feat and I made it with a mere 5 minutes to spare!

Here are some of the lovely cards created this week:

Apologies for this being so blurry...

Here are the pages of a sympathy card I made for my dear E.

One more addition to the cards...

Inside of card with image transfer, handmade paper, and vintage wristwatch clock face

Close-up of outside

Even though this is the month of love, 29 days of hope and connection, the peak of my personal creative outreach to the public ... I'm finding it a challenge to keep up the momentum.

Life runs in cycles of energy, circles of anniversaries, memories and habits folding round and round like a mobius strip. Similar, not identical, unpredictable to the forgetful among us, and always chock full of information.

I found gratitude to be my motivator for January and worked with, against, and along-side various forms of gratitude. February seems to be demanding yet still greater patience, suspension of judgement and flexibility in self assessment related thoughts.

We all move along at the pace set by our little generators housed safely in our chest. I am happiest when I remember exactly what is at the center of my path and really open my eyes, listen, witness and let it all pass into the next moment. Because, for now, there IS a next moment and another step to be taken and creative ideas to be expressed.

I wish you a lovely moment filled evening.
Liza

Valentine-Making 2012

2012-02-05T21:29:00.001-06:00

Glitza-rama

Glitteratti

Pretty in Pink

call it what you will, this year was fantastic!

Great company - new faces and returning veterans... this is an event NOT to miss! Thank you everyone for gracing my tables and sharing in this creative endeavor~

Here are a few shots of the environment....

Heart-shaped scones

Before, during, and after the storm.....

... and the kidlets table:

The pups were fairly well behaved throughout... no escapes and they managed to bring their yucky beef bones out into the living room only a FEW times .... (although saturday night, they got up on a chair and licked up most of the butter off the plate and yet somehow missed the leftover scones....) We had no major spills or miss-haps and I'd say there were about about 100 valentines made. Over both days, about 50 people came through the doors and made an average of two valentines each. This has got to be a record!

I've put up all the pictures except those of either recipients in-this-house (!) or with names on the front of people who might be reading this blog. I'll post the rest of them after the 14th!

Arn't they fantastic? Leave me a comment about your favorite ones!!

Here are all the fantastic creations!

February 19

Here are the valentines I could not post prior to the 14th!

The next three are part of M's Natural Disaster Valentine series

The Volcano of Love

Two sides of the Hurrican of Love:

and finally, The Tsunami of Love:

I wish we had pictures of the elaborate skeletal structure underneath... straws and skewers forming an undulating wave....

Here are the two valentines I made her... complete with actual German phrasing! Thanks to some lovely German speaking guests at the Valentine Making party!

TTTPL Hand crafted Gift Bags

2012-02-05T19:30:00.001-06:00

Hello! I hope you all had a great weekend... It was a glitzerama here at MacKomics Studio... all sorts of valentine-making madness for two whole days! Photos will be posted in the near future. Thanks to all the visitors and the X-treme creativity, this 5th annual valentine making party was a stupendous success... so much so, that I think the event has outlived this location! Can you even believe it? At one point we had all the chairs filled, several kids at the kids table, parents standing and a few hanging out by the scones. We had about 45 to 50 visitors over the 16 hour period and at least 100 valentines were made... probably more!

Last week at Tending to the Pilot Light, we made hand crafted gift bags. I purchased a new GIGANTIC die for the table top die cutter and students composed these great one of a kind gift bags. The die requires just over an 11 x 17 page so we adhered 12 x 12 pages together or used other materials that were large enough.

Here are some of the pieces created on Tuesday and Thursday Nights.

Here's a great road trip gift bag with some vintage roadsters:

This one is lovely with some hand-painted roses and a tiny bee

This sepia giftbag has two distinct sides and looks so pretty in the warm light of evening (pic2)

Here is a picture of the bag above in progress:

Check out these cheery spring colors!

This bag was cut from a vintage model castle set and sports beaded handles:

Look at this one below and see a 'round the world trip!

We had a lot of fun composing these and creating little functional works of art.

Next week, we will be having an open card crafting session on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7 to 9.

I will supply multiple colors of cardstock, cut to half size, mixed art papers, lots of new stamps, image transfer supplies, and plenty of glitter and stick on jewels (for that extra bling we all crave). Make blank cards or stamp with "Happy Birthday", "Thank You" "Congratulations" or a specific holiday message (easter, christmas, st. paddy's, etc.).

Remember, if you are coming to Tending to the Pilot Light for the very first time, it is only FIVE bucks - all supplies included and 2 hours of creative play time!

I've added one more brooch to the photos from last week... a tribute to Annie Oakley - link here

Have a great week and check back for those valentine photos!

Liza

TTTPL - Vignette Jewelry

2012-01-29T18:04:00.001-06:00

This week at Tending to the Pilot Light, we worked with beads and charms and felt and embroidery threads to make these sweet little "Vignette Jewelry" pieces from an article in Cloth Paper Scissors.

Many were completed and some are "in progress". I will post the pics when my lovely students bring them back for show and tell! The results of this exercise are so sweet and intricate, I can't wait to see the final versions!

A warm welcome to first time students Dottie and Lisa!

Sign up for my email invitation list to receive your coupon for a free session during your birthday month!!

We do sometimes have a rebel among the group members and tonight she chose to make this beautiful little purse instead of the medallion... isn't it precious?!

Here is the finished piece! ~Gorgeous!

Here are the two I completed... one more in progress...

Here is one more I completed after Thursday's class"

Important news....

This weekend is the Fifth Annual Valentine Making Open House here at MacKomics Studios...10am to 6pm both days... don't miss it! Here is a link to last year's photos.

Next week we will be making hand crafted gift bags. Here is a sneak peak!

I hope you have a great week! And.. a few more projects have been completed and photographed... check out TTTPL Illuminations and TTTPL New Year's Visual Reinforcement/Reminders/Validation/2012 Journey Map.... for new photographs.

I hope you have a great week, and if you haven't gone to see "The Artist" yet... make plans now! It is a great homage to silent films, romance, Gene Kelly, and so much more.

Sincerely

Liza

Tending to the Pilot Light: Intention Candles

2012-01-22T18:05:00.000-06:00

Hello to You...

Last week we made some really interesting Intention Candles as the final project in our New Year's Series.

Check out all these designs below. I've "photoshopped" pictures of the different sides together so you can get a good idea of the circular nature of the finished pieces.

Each person designed their own piece by flipping quickly through image sources, making split second decisions - yes or no and collecting a significant pile of pictures. The next weeding process was to refine the collection down to a few images thereby allowing the "intention" to emerge without interference from the judgemental brain. Then culling those images down to a composition that would fit on one of these tall votives was the next challenge. I think they are beautiful and each one has a personal message for its creator, an interactive intention shrine - center of energy - reminder of one's hope for positive change in this new year.

Here are a few that I've made of the years....

This one, with its skeleton, meditation and baby bird took a long time to interpret itself to me. I trusted the choice and placement of the images long before I like it or even understood it. I think of it now, years after making it, as death and rebirth....

This one was made in 2004 or so and was specifically about wishing to be a professional artist.

In other news...

I had an extraordinary day with friends out in the country north of town, playing with papers and glue and glitter. We gathered for homemade soup and bread and made paper houses together. Here are some pictures of our final projects!

Aren't they cute? Such creativity and what a great time we had! Thanks to S and S for hosting! You are fabulous!

Next week we will be making these sweet little pendants from Cloth Paper Scissors...

I went out and purchased some new REALLY CUTE fabric for the project.. here is a sneak peek

I am still looking for guest artists... are you interested in teaching an informal class to an intimate group of really nice people? Let me know!

Have a great week and if you're out and about next Friday (Final Friday Art Walk) in downtown Lawrence, come by and see me at the Phoenix Gallery... I'll be their featured artist for the evening!

Take care,

Liza

Tending to the Pilot Light: New Year's Visual Reinforcement/Reminders/Validation/2012 Journey Map....

2012-01-16T15:40:00.001-06:00

Hello! During Tending to the Pilot Light this last week, we continued with our New Year 2012 Process projects. We completed a worksheet about our hopes, plans, wishes, for the future and created 2 and 3 dimensional art pieces related to the results. Thanks to Susannah Conway for the worksheet. Titled "Unravelling the Year Ahead" it asks questions like, What is your Word for 2012, Imagine yourself at the end of the year, what are you proud of? and What is your secret wish?

I created a quick example of one way to visually interpret/display the results of New Year thinking to give the class some ideas:

I had not completed the worksheet at that time. According to one of my students, I unconsciously placed some of the categories in the same locations surrounding a central theme as some Feng Shui models... I'll have to find out more about this and study the universal-ness of visual displays of life energy.

Here are some of the pieces my lovely students made during the week:

The first one is displayed over four pictures to reveal all the hidden layers.....

The second piece is a hanging, two-sided visual - letting fate and natural air drafts determine which side is revealed at any given moment:

Here are a few more....

The piece above is a three dimensional box with opening window frame and functioning curtains!

Here is the final version of the above project:

Here are few newly completed projects:

And here is what I created AFTER filling out the worksheet...

There were several pieces "in progress", taken home with promises to bring back the finished project for photos!

This was an interesting project because it brought up lots of reactions for people... ranging from resistance, acceptance, inspiration, fears, blank-mind...overwhelmed, hope....

I feel like whatever got stirred up, the mixture it made.... makes us richer. I would personally rather not have "Mindfulness" be my word for the year... It is much easier to space out and indulge in non-choices.. letting my time, my decisions, my actions be ruled by desires, i.e., yummy cookie vs. do I really want to feel that residue during yoga? or.. I'm kinda tired.. I'd rather watch a good BBC detective series than take care of filing or laundry or the zillions of things that call out to me on a daily basis. However, having just a teensy bit of clarity and a view over the top of that moment can reveal that YEAH, it's a drag to be in the moment and take care of SHTUFF right then, but wow, afterwards, doesn't the place look great, isn't it nice to NOT hear all those chores chiming in to be heard and done? Isn't it easier to turn towards my creative and productive and happy self when not dragged down by all the things I avoid "taking care of". I will answer with a resounding Yeppers!

I'll leave you with this one adage that proves helpful every time I bother to remember it....

Action is the Antidote

Happy New Year

Next week we will be re-visiting Intention Candles... here are some photos from our last session:

The week after next, January 24th and 26th, we will be doing a project straight out of Cloth Paper Scissors:

On Friday the 27th of January, I will be the featured artist at the Phoenix Gallery during Final Fridays.... Come by and say hi... they always have great snacks! Also, say the magic words "Bostons in a suitcase" and you may choose a free mini-print reproduction postcard of some of my work.

And after that.... VALENTINES!! Saturday and Sunday, February 4th and 5th - Family Friendly Open house 10-6 both days - come to my place and make some valentines for your loved ones! Home made scones, coffee, tea and hot chocolate will be served all day.

Be sure to check in at my two ongoing pages on this blog: A dress a day in 2012: as of this typing, I've been faithful to the endeavor with 16 dresses drawn and published, and the Urban Sketchers Midwest project with fewer sketches but perhaps more variety.

Take care and keep out of harm's way until we see each other again.
Liza

Tending to the Pilot Light: Illuminations

2012-01-05T14:59:00.001-06:00

This week at MacKomics Studios we are beginning a series of New Year's themed projects. We had some new students and some regulars on Tuesday night and WOW, what really amazing pieces were created. The exercise incorporated an image of ourselves and then a meditative practice of "finding" backgrounds, significant imagery, colors, textures and composition to create an Illumination of our selves at that moment in time. I will sign off here as these delightful pieces speak for themselves.

I included two photos of this piece to show these amazing little doors she incorporated into the composition.

Are these not sublime?

Here is one more completed Illumination:

They range in height from 10 to 20 inches depending on the piece.

Here is the composition I used for inspiration for this process/project:

I completed this some time in the early 2000's and the central image is an illustration I found in a magazine and altered with pencil look more like myself. The "halo" of wishes, ideals, values and dreams represents a sacred and honored vision of myself at that time. I showed this and other collage pieces to demonstrate not only the object of the exercise, but also tips on design and visual communication through placement, complexity and color choices.

Here are the two pieces I made during the evenings... the first has a whole process story to be discovered... quite powerful (for me) to have found the blank slate photo and used it as the core of my body. Definitely have some writing to do about that!

The second one also held some surprises. I am actively working towards a larger, more open heart, a lighter existence, a more flexible and loving relationship with the world and try as I might, the carved .... black ..... stone tablet just HAD to be place right over my heart. Interesting and informative. Lots to process.

May your day be rich and present.
Best,
Liza

December Dress-Up: Submission

2011-12-31T12:24:00.000-06:00

Wow! a whole year of dresses... yes, I'm squeaking the last few in just under the wire and was relieved to find that I had not missed any other months along the way as I anxiously scrolled through my year of posts.

So... the challenge for this month was WINGS! I left the interpretation up to the individual - angel, faerie, butterfly...anything.

As always, I have a few process pictures for you, but the piece came together really quickly and I'm especially pleased with the overall ethereal nature.

Step one... must use organza fabric... somehow!

I made tiny wired wings with long stems first and sewed filmy organza to the edges with my favorite "see-through" thread.

Tip: after struggling with the first couple of wings, trying to sew fabric cut to size with a quarter inch allowance, I would recommend attaching a large piece and then just trimming away the excess!

Here are a few completed wings standing up in a glass. I left the "stems" long because I had no idea what the dress was going to be made from. (I was that obsessed with the wing part of the project).

Since this was done a few days ago PRIOR to my annual studio "muck-out", there were lots of materials lying all over the place. I cut a generic shift-style shape out of some clear plastic packaging and then laid it over the beautiful decorative motifs printed on my new Hammerpress 2012 calendar. (gift from the lovely daughteress). As I reached for a sharpie to trace some of the filigree on to the dress, she became extremely alarmed that I was going to cut up the calendar for decoration on the dress. Once we got that all sorted out and everyone was calm again, I traced some curlicues and then freehanded the bee in the center.

To mask the wing stem and hefty glue attachment on the back, I drew some fake shirring on the front.

Here are some pickies.

It was difficult to photograph this piece since it is neither two nor three dimensional and see-through to boot. For the photo above, I wedged it in a crack in the table...

Here is a close-up of the decorations... best to not look too closely- they look much better from afar!

Here it is next to the beautiful letterpress calendar.

Here's a shot of the back so you can see where I attached the wings.

And finally, a side view so you can see how slight it is.

I have really enjoyed this year long project started by the Lovely Angela at SewLoquacious.

I have not heard back from any of my "millions" of followers whether you would like to do the same project again or another topic on a monthly basis. I would love to host again, but the last few months has been very quiet here at the Dress-up Challenge 2011 hosting headquarters and I don't know where you all went!

Please contact me if you'd like to resume or start another project.

I also posted November's submission this morning... take a look!

In the mean time, I'll be challenging myself to a rendering a day on my new "Dress-a-Day" page on this blog. Check back often!

Best wishes for the new year

Liza

November Dress-up: Classical or Neo Classical - submission

2011-12-31T11:21:00.000-06:00

Alas... late again! I had grand plans back in November... I even went out and purchased Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice just for this project. Here it is the last day of the year and I'm playing catch-up on several months of this Dress-Up 2011 challenge. I suspect that it's a metaphor for life in general, eh?

Anyway.. I'll show you the dress in a series of process pictures below. I made it last night while my daughter read from the new Christopher Paolini book "Inheritance". There is nothing so lovely as working out design challenges, converting ideas of flowing fabric into three dimensional shape with the limitations of paper while your favorite person in the world reads enthusiastically (with voices) from this long awaited final book in the Eragon series.

The process started with what I thought would be a fantastic color choice - dying the pages in coffee.

Here's a tip... separate the pages from the spine glue BEFORE getting them wet!

They look great.. nice and brown, all laid out on the counter.

I put a non-dyed page on top to admire the color contrast.

Then.... they dried....

and

I had nice crinkly pages from Pride and Prejudice, but hardly any color. 'Suppose I could have done a little research into natural dyeing, but as with most projects, I just sort of jump in and hope for the best.

Yesterday, while waiting interminably for my most favorite person in the world to spend her gift certificate at a clothing store (teenage daughter + clothes shopping = timestandstill), I worked on sketches from ... yes, you guessed it, my historical fashion bible, John Peacock's Costume History 1600'a-1990s. I wanted to familiarize myself with the main elements that make a dress LOOK like a Jane Austen Era costume and not just make a dress based on one of his drawings. So, as the dressing room area chairs were thankfully comfortable, I studied his drawings and made some rough ones of my own.

Then it was time to construct the actual piece. I debated about whether to make a plan and sketch out EXACTLY how I was going to create the dress and ended up just beginning by attaching pages together to make some "fabric". I then worked on the decorative elements in the lower half of the skirts. Having applied an accordion style detail at the correct height of the skirt, I realized that the hem below it was flat and un interesting... so cut off the skirt under the decorative element and made a new "hem" with a severe box pleat. I colored all the insides of the pleat with a maroon pencil to give more depth.

Hopefully, you can see what I'm describing in the picture above.

I worked on the skirt first, as a flat piece.. then made tiny pleats all around and when I attached the edges, it stood on its own. Then I cut out the front of the bodice with darts and after a few tries, cut out a matching back piece. Tip: fold paper in half to get matching curves and angles!

Then... I started on the sleeves... I tried several prototypes - cutting circles with curvy darts, triangles fitted together...etc.

Here are a series of pictures my daughter took of my hands while I tried to sort out how to create a poufy sleeve cap...

First, I made a narrow accordion strip

and then cut it in an approximation of the sleeve shape, trying to visualize the bell shape broken into even segments,

and fitted it in a sleeve cuff lined with double sided sticky on the inside.

To make the sleeve fall from the shoulder (instead of stick straight out) I cut the "petals" down significantly on the underside of the sleeve.

I coated a small strip of paper on both sides with double sided sticky to give a surface to attach all the tiny tips around the arm hole.

Tip: to make matching sleeves, don't get so excited that you complete construct the first one and attach it to the garment BEFORE cutting a second sleeve.

When I attached the two components together.. I was actually amazed. One never knows how these things will turn out. I added decorative "lace" by cutting curved bits from the white page borders and used that contrast on the waistband as well.

Here is the final piece.

I put it on top of one of these fantastic hot chocolate bowls we received from my sister for christmas... in addition to the reading, and photography, my daughter made us fabu hot chocolate to energize us throughout the evening.

Here is a detail of the assembled sleeve in place with "lace"

Although I did not plan which pages to use or what text to feature, it is fun to see familiar names all over the dress.

Here is a full front view and...

a back view... and ...

a detail of the ribbons.

This may be one of my favorite pieces I have ever made!

Happy last day of 2011.

Liza

Tending to the Pilot Light: More Plushies!

2011-12-30T19:19:00.000-06:00

Last week was (king) soopers busy! in addition to the Thrifty Gifter Yarn Wrapped Wreaths workshop held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, I squeezed in one last TTTPL session on Wednesday night. We made some really cute little pieces and since it is post-Christmas morning, I can show pictures of the pieces my daughter made for cousins and family as well as the crazy stuff I made for her!

Here's a handmade pattern being cut out to make a cute little unicorn!

Here is the unicorn with all its fringe and pipe cleaner horn and a sweet contrasting blanket stitch around the edges.

This cute Kitty Toy has a jingle bell hidden inside!

Here are the amazing little big-eared creatures my daughter made for family member's stockings... each with its own character.

Here is the GIANT plushie chibi-head doll I made my daughter... tape dispenser shows scale. It has a wire frame inside and a cute little crochet dress and scarf

Here's a closeup of the eye... I used these Teddy bear eyes I had bought on speculation once while trying to beef up a craft supplies order without bumping up the shipping expense.

I got the idea for overlapping fleece eyelids from these amazing creatures at the Wonderfair Gallery.

Here's the plushie breakfast plate special I made for my daughter's stocking...can you see the butter melting?!

All in all, I am totally mad for plushies! I even saw a couple of books dedicated to them in the library in my favorite stacks...the 730's to 750's... I could just live back there!

I hope you all had a lovely holiday vacation and am looking forward to lots of creativity in the new year!

Check back often on my new "page" on this blog as I'm going to post a dress-a-day for 2012.

Also, I am bound and determined to finish the year of dresses for the Dress-up Challenge and have just one left to do. I am not sure why everyone dropped out soon after I took up the hosting of the challenge, but, just for my own sense of accomplishment, I'll make one more post tomorrow with the last two challenge submissions to make an even 12 dresses for the year. If anyone has any feedback or knows why this project petered out... please leave me a comment below.

Cheers, I'm off to catch some of Lawrence's Final Friday Artwalk tonight - see you there?

Liza

Yarn Wrapped Wreaths at the Lawrence Public Library

2011-12-30T18:07:00.000-06:00

On December 20th and 22nd, the Lawrence Public Library had its last session of the brand new Thrifty Gifter Series... Yarn Wrapped Wreaths! We had about 20 people each evening and everyone went home with a beautiful handmade one-of-a-kind wreath. Thanks goes out to my incredibly helpful assistants Sarah and William... I truly could not have taught the class without all their help setting up, demonstrating methods, answering questions and all the breakdown and cleanup!

I started the class with an explanation of the project and demonstration of a few types of felt flower styles. I showed the participants the most efficient way to wrap their wreaths (hold wreath between knees and circulate ball of yarn 4 or 4 times before sliding strands together), and reminded them that the process was split into two sections... the more meditative, mindful section where they could practice patience and get to know their neighbors, and the second section which would be much more active and stimulating with all the decorations to choose from.

To aid with the instruction, I quickly doodled a step by step process page and color coordinated our felt samples to the colors on the page:

Sarah and William folded and rolled the pieces along with me at strategic positions along the table to give participants a closer view of how we were manipulating the felt.

Here is what the place looked like just as people started to arrive on Tuesday evening:

Thanks to Stepping Stones Ranch for all this great yarn!! My daughter's horseback riding teacher was having a fabulous garage sale and we scooped these up for the Library.

The following pictures are a mix of both evenings with process first and happy finished products at the end.

I was amazed to see how many different styles and interpretations people created...! We had a broad spectrum of ages and even a healthy sprinkling of menfolk... The time went quickly, however almost everyone completed or nearly completed their project.

This was so much fun I loved teaching such a large group of people and am so glad the Library was able to create this fabulous series of creative sessions... If you enjoyed the Thrifty Gifter Series, be sure to let the Lawrence Public Library know your opinion... maybe we can make a Lawrence Holiday Tradition!

Thanks to all the great participants, Sarah and William, and of course to Rachel who organized the entire event!

Happy New Year!

xxoo

Liza

Christmas Day

2011-12-25T12:44:00.001-06:00

Hello all

Tending to the Pilot Light will be on vacation between christmas and newyears.

{{{{This is the text of the weekly email invitation to individuals who have signed up to be on my mailing list.}}}}

We will start back up in the new year with a series of projects designed to explore who we are, what values we hold dear and what we would like to manifest in the new year. On January 3rd and 5th, we will be creating "Illuminations" of ourselves. Bring a photo of yourself at any age with your face at approximately 6 inches tall. It can be a xerox or color print or an illustration of yourself. We will create a self portrait with many mediums, incorporating the image and others that will "find" you in the process of the project.

The following week, ((January 10th and 12th) we will work with backwards bubble charts and images to create a map for our year. These may be focused on our creative, professional, family, spiritual, emotional, etc., journeys we would like to embark on in 2012.

In the third week,(January 17th and 19th) we will re-visit Intention Candles and work through the process of letting the distillation of the "turning of the year" energies, hope and intention for our lives and "choosing" our word for the year direct the composition of the candles. These candles provide an interactive reminder/mindfullness activity that can be engaged at any time during the year.

This would be a great time to shoot me an email if you have suggestions of activities you would like to see presented at Tending to the Pilot Light in 2012 or if you'd like to be taken off this mailing list.

I have a couple of quick questions I would really appreciate feed back with. Please take a moment to email me back with your opinions so I can massage this endeavor to better suit your creative process.

1. If you've never attended, would you like to be taken off the mailing list?

2. If you've come once only, what changes in format/setting/topics etc. would bring you back?

3. Do you think the charge of $10 is fair or too high?

4. Do Tuesdays and Thursdays work for you?

5. Would you be interested in multi week projects that get into more depth? (example: bookbinding)

6. Would you be interested learning from a guest artists? (the cost of these evenings would be determined by the guest artist; I would merely host the space)

7. Would you like to be a guest artist?

8. Do you have any other suggestions/complaints to share that would make the evenings more valuable to you? (Please be frank, I'm seeking honest feedback to improve this project and will not take anything personally)

I have lots of great pictures from the last Tending to the Pilot Light and from the Thrifty Gifter series which i will post on my blog in the next few days...but for now, Happy Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone.

ps. it's still pretty early, but i'm gearing up for my FIFTH! Valentine Making party here in Lawrence and it will be held the 4th and 5th of February to give everyone time to mail out their creations on time. This is a two day extravaganza for which I actually have to rent chairs! Plan on bringing family and friends (supervised children are welcome!) to this great midwinter party complete with heart shaped scones, hot beverages and more pink and red and white and sparkle materials than ever!

pps. Also, ladies (and fashion courageous gentlemen) join me in my absolutely insane tradition of wearing a skirt every day in February as a sacrifice to the "gods" of spring to ensure a timely warming in our region! (This is a much greater challenge in Lawrence than it ever was in Seattle... mind you

Take care and warm wishes to you and yours. Happy New Year

Liza

Blog Hop

2011-12-19T08:51:00.000-06:00

Experiment in the blogosphere!

Tending to the Pilot Light: Plushies-Stuffies-Lovies!

2011-12-18T13:57:00.001-06:00

Last week we gathered around the table for some adventures in hand sewing!

One of my best selling products is my "Chibi-Head" plushie Boston Terrier

And since it is based on the construction of a baseball, why couldn't the pattern be used for other creatures? or modification of the basic cone shape i had used for some silly rabbit dolls I made last year just for the fun of it.

So, I set up the table with everything I could think of - felt, buttons, decorative and christmas fabric, hot glue, trim, stuffing, fleece, yarn, charms, pompoms, googlie eyes, ribbon, pipe cleaners, and yes, even some glue on jewels... just in case!

I'm going to try and load the video i took of all the "ingredients". If it does not load, you can get an idea from the picture above... the baskets are full and stretch the full length of two six foot tables.

Here are the INCREDIBLE and totally cute creatures created here at MacKomics Studio!

This last one is one I made on Sunday night to test whether we could be successful within the two hour framework of Tending to the Pilot Light... And... as you can see, I finally got a tree! no decorations yet, but it's in the stand, smelling divine.

Once again, there are a few more pictures to post, but not until after stockings are stuffed, so certain relatives will not have their surprises ruined....!

This was a great project, even for the novice seamstress, since we worked primarily in fleece which is so stretchy and fuzzy that it hides all imperfections. I was thrilled to see the projects evolving and even morphing completely... for example, the original design for the "Grouper Claus" above is this sketch for a mousy below.

We had teenagers as young as 15 creating their own patterns, figuring out structure and engineering (upright cat tail above) and of course, great conversations through out the evenings.

I look forward to creating with you in the near future.... I will be continuing this series in 2012 and might be making changes to the format based on feedback from a questionnaire I will send out to all of you on my mailing list. Please let me know if you do not get the weekly emails regarding these projects and I will add you right away.

This week is my debut teaching at the Lawrence Public Library for the last session of the Thrifty Gifters Series. We will be making yarn wrapped wreaths on Tuesday and Thursday in the Auditorium.

The Tuesday evening session is filled but there is still room left on Thursday. If you are already signed up for Tuesday but are not going to make it, please contact the library as soon as possible so they can call the wait list! Here are a few photos of some sample wreaths I've put together.

and here are just SOME of the wreath forms I've made from foam pipe insulators. I'm happy to say I've solved the issues I encountered with the first round of these wreaths and even repaired the wonky crooked first wreath I made. If you made wreaths here at Tending to the Pilot Light and they have become, let us say, less than circular.... please let me know, and I can FIX the problem!

I'll be adding a few more pictures of the preparations later and of course a big post after this week.

I'm very excited about this workshop and am busy this weekend transforming the last skeins of yarn into balls, cutting tons of die shapes out of paper, felt, and fleece and collecting the last few embellishments we might need.

Important note regarding Tending to the Pilot Light this week... I will have the tables set up for Wednesday night only with a follow-on week of plushies/stuffies/lovies.

Please just let me know if you will be coming!

Best wishes to all who visit here.

Liza

PS. There was one more session of Plushies for 2011... see pics HERE