Playing Paper Dolls

I recently saw this post on Kelly's Art Journaling blog and was touched. She made a play day with her young friends to make paper dolls from my book, Collage Couture. You see a few months ago I was reading reviews on a paper doll book (can't remember the name) and was so disappointed. The book was described as an art book but people bought it for little girls. The book had some bad reviews because these adorable dolls and their little clothes had to be cut instead of punched out. It was too much time and trouble. I remember thinking when I was about 5, I used to wait patiently for my mom to cut out my paper dolls. My mom never complained, it was our time together. Watching her cut meticulously around every tab, no white would show beyond that black line, I was mesmerized. It's sad to see so many people who were upset by this book because the dolls had to be cut. We seem to want everything ready made these days. Part of the fun is just simply in the anticipation of being cut out. It's the process of getting to that final playtime that is part of the charm of playing with paper dolls. I totally can relate to Kelly when she talks about the girls being dreamy eyed as she cut the paper out to make their dolls. I remember that well which is probably why I am doing what I am doing today; still sitting there dreamy eyed, cutting out paper dolls. Thank you Kelly for sharing your journey and blessing me with this wonderful story!

My First Book Signing!

I was exhausted after 2 days of selling at The Vintage Market Place in RAinBow, CA. This was a show that was bursting with luscious yumminess everywhere you looked. It takes a lot out of you to look at all this for 2 days! You can see pictures here but if you did not attend, I warn you, you will be jealous that you could not be there!

Upon arriving home, I had to unpack and repack for my first book signing at Stamp Your Heart Out in Claremont, CA. on Sunday. Now, I knew the store had been planning to give out a bookmark with the purchase of my book, Collage Couture, but I had no idea they would be something like this. I don't know why these were such a shock to me because every sample in that shop is truly amazing, but these bookmarks actually brought tears to my eyes! Little paper dolls, that if you look closely, the paper for their skin says Collage Couture on it. The handbag actually opens with the date of the event on the inside. What a surprise this was and my first reaction was that I would by the book just to get the bookmark!

I had a great time seeing lots of old friends and meeting new ones. What a wonderful feeling to see these books going home with so many creative souls! Thank you to all who came and a big thank you to Joan and her girls who work so hard at creating such a wonderful little shop of inspiration. And a huge thank you to Marilyn for making these darling bookmarks, something I will treasure always!

Upcoming Book Signings and Such

From the book Collage Couture

Well, we will try this again since blogger has dropped my last 2 posts! I will make this one short and sweet. The last 2 months have been sort of a resting perriod for me as I pursue some other things. Last week , I had a super creative streak and started doing some projects with fabric. If all goes well, I will post pictures this week.

I received an email on Saturday that someone actually got my book Collage Couture, in the mail from Amazon. I have not yet received mine so I was pleasantly surprised. I am in book planning event mode right now so I thought I would post where I'll be in the coming weeks.
I will start off doing a lovely vintagy show in Rainbow, CA. Yes, Rainbow in North San Diego County, and the area is as pretty as the name! This was formerly Chateau de Fleurs that took place at Christie Repasy's home in Fallbrook. I will be there June 3 & 4 and will have a few books to sell and will have some of my original art from the book for sale.

On Sunday, June 5, I will be at Stamp Your Heart Out in Claremont from 2 - 4. This sweet little store is where it all began for me. The owner, Joan has been cheering me on since I first was asked to participate in an art walk there a little over 2 yrs ago. Yep, I walked in that store that night with nothing but my art. No easels, no prices, nothing...not a clue how to set up for this! But Joan helped me set up, I had a successful evening and have been asked back many times since.

I am setting up a signing and 2 classes at a Ben Franklin store in Grass Valley, CA on June 25. Am very excited about this. This a wonderful area in Northern CA sitting at the edge of the gold country. Sylvia, who I met in Davis while doing a show and class has graciously offered me her guest room that weekend. How fun to spend the weekend with new friends!

I will post as more events come my way. Thank you to everyone who pre-ordered the book. I hope you enjoy it!

Inspiration from Davis

The Wardrobe, Davis, CA



Display with some of my goodies




Loved all the color of the walls!



Heather and her friend Autumn with her darling twins

I'm not sure what it is about Northern Calif. that always seems to clear my mind and feed my creativity. Perhaps it's the clean air or maybe the roads that are not as congested as I'm used to. I know this time of the year it's the green rolly poly hills that surround me driving from the 5 to the 101 and driving from San Jose to Sacramento. It's truly a beautiful drive in the spring.

A few months ago I was invited by Heather Caswell, owner of The Wardrobe in the quaint college town of Davis, to participate in the town's art walk at her store. I jumped at the chance because I typically show in galleries or arty type stores as well as arts and craft shows. This is a high end boutique with very arty clothes because it seems Heather's philosophy is that clothes should be art in themselves. The store was beautiful and well, the clothing, lets just say I saw many masterpieces in that little shop.

The art walk turned out wonderful. The town was full of colorful characters and lots of students. I enjoyed many conversations that evening. She had dj's playing the most wonderful music. Old French garage band music. So much fun! The darling dj, Emily handed me a CD at the end because I loved it so much. Thank you Emily...I listened to it all the way home on Sunday! I had my book, Collage Couture, displayed for all to look at and I'm happy to say I had rave reviews on the design and look of it!

Being the capitol of natural foods, I ate well over the weekend. Gluten free and dairy free pizza and cheesecake. Delicious! Sorry to say girls, I did have to have my frou frou coffee the following morning!

Davis being such an artsy town, I thought I'd share a few pictures of my walk. It's the little surprises you find along the way that get your creative juices flowing.

The mural on the local art supply store

Bench outside the barber shop

Don't know what the building was, but loved the color. This was all ceramics I believe.

Thank you Heather and staff for a great weekend.   The Wardrobe

A Magical Day



Goodie Bags in the quaint little courtyard




Bottles filled with bath salts for the girls. Paulette made the exquisite ceramic bottle stoppers and shell "necklaces"




Charming lunch boxes. Yummy sandwiches from the Cheese Cave in Claremont




Te

ahhh, painting is such hard work!



Voila! Cathy's finished projects

The weather was perfect! 106 degrees inland and just mid 80's at the beach. We had a delightful group of women including Beth from Stampington. Beth brought a bag of papers for us to play with which made me very happy. It's like searching through your Christmas stocking for all the wonderful little goodies! After a tour of Paulette's amazing beach cottage, we settled into our first project; a collaged mermaid. There was so much chatter, learning all about one another's lives and creative journeys. I felt like I did little teaching! I am amazed at watching women get in their zones while creating. We all sat down to work on the same project and yet every piece comes out so different. We had pink mermaids, yellow mermaids and even green mermaids. How great is that? We had shy mermaids and mermaids with well...lets just say, a lot of cleavage! They all turned out so whimsically wonderful! We broke for lunch on yet another  charming patio overlooking the ocean. More chatting, ocean breezes and great food. After lunch we started our second project...watercoloring on a bisque plate. Again, I was amazed at the skill of these women and how quickly they learned. I was even happy with my little water colors of seashells and starfish and I've never really painted before. Before we knew it, it was 5:00 and I really believed we would have stayed well into the night had Jenelle not had plans that evening. Jenelle summed it up, leaving..."It was a magical day and one I'll never forget." Ditto for me. There is nothing quite like the magic that happens between creative female souls.

Laguna Playdate Set!

The playdate at Summerland Cottage Studio in the beautiful town of Laguna Beach has been set!
It will be Sat, Sept. 25 from 10 am - 5 pm.

You will be in awe upon entering the enchanting brick wall of the historical cottage grounds. This charming cottage has it's own old Hollywood history but I assure you it's not the history that will charm you. It's the artistic talents of it's current owner, Paulette Adams that will keep you enthralled thru out the day.

We will begin our day with a 3 hour ceramic class. Don't worry. there will be no wet, messy clay involved here. It will be pure painting pleasure with Paulette and you will take home a beautifully decorated ceramic item for your home. Her ceramic pieces are pure eye candy.

We will break for a gourmet box lunch catered by the Cheese Cave in Claremont. Between all the delectable goodies we will chat, laugh and share creative secrets on the lawn overlooking the ocean.

Back to another 3 hour class where you will create a much layered, finely detailed mermaid collage taught by me! I will be teaching lots of collage layering techniques that will inspire you to come up with your own projects whenever your creative spirit arises. At 5:00, our day of creative bliss will be finished but feel free to stay and do the town that evening. It's just a few short blocks away! Nothing like keeping the creative fever blazing than food and drink with new friends!

We have incredible...and I mean incredible goodie bags for all!

The cost for alll this? Just $200 per person. $100 deposit due by Sept. 14. Please email me for info regarding how to make the payment. artsyfartsy25@hotmail.com Thank you!

Please feel free to visit Paulette's blog to view her stunning artwork at http://www.summerlandcottagestudio.blogspot.com/