Here's something happening in Los Angeles that I just know will be terrific fun. I've been saving a big bag of kid's clothes to donate, so this Swap-o-Rama-Rama is definitely the place for it. We've participated in several past Swap-o-Rama-Rama's and they are always awesome. I'm looking forward to investigating the location, the reDiscover Center, as well.

Now that I am a certified SDU instructor , I will be teaching at Michaels. I have two different classes coming up. I made this vividly colored page with letters and images cut from plain cardstock using Cricut and Gypsy - Cartrides used were Robotz and Wall Decor and More. Embellishments - plastic rhinestones! Finally I have started on the backlog of wonderful vintage photos from my late mother's collection. What a life! SDU Scrapbooking classes will be at Michaels, Inglewood on Thursday evenings in January. Jan 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th from 6:00 - 8:00 pm . The classes assume no prior experience with scrapbooking and take you through organizing photos, choosing themes, designing layouts, color theory, journalling, embellishments and tips and tools. The class is normally $45 for all four, but register before the New Year and receive 40% off for a total of $27 for the four classes. Registrants also receive a one time 10% off your purchase coupon to buy materials for t...

Happy Holidays! Please feel free to download this happy zentangle elf for your use. Get her here .

I have just heard that some recycled gift boxes I made using vintage magazine pages will be in an upcoming issue of Green Crafts . I'm very happy to have success with my first submission to this publishing group. No pics, but I'll post a link when the mag comes out.

Recently completed and sent off as the prize for my Natural Life Magazine diorama contest.

The next doll making odyssey, Coolaberration 2010, has commenced. My doll start and journal are detailed on the group blog.  Slightly different and more challenging than last time, we are importuned to send only a portion of a doll figure. Stay tuned.

This is "Dream of Peace" I have donated to the The Peace Project at Gallery 9  for auction. She is a 14 inch tall OOAK cloth and mixed media Dream Doll with internal wire and wood armature for support. I painted her face and designed her sparkling heart to evoke both Byzantine and Central American iconography. Her body is a vintage cottage style print from my late mother's collection, while her vivid skirt petals are a combination of vintage and used clothing fabrics, new quilting cottons, and vintage Indian and South Asian fabrics from my mother-in-law's collection. Tiny colored glass sead beads also appear in many cultures including African tribal adornments and traditional figures, and Native American textiles. Included in her hair decorations are handmade cloth beads made from some yo-yos from a very old quilt that is beyond repair, but represents the traditional feminine crafts of pioneer America. My idea is that her multi-sourced clothes, charms and emb...