Thursday, November 3, 2011

Great Day Today....motor coach tour from DesMoines,IA

We had great visitors today from Iowa.  It was a mystery trip for them.  Think they had a good time also. I really get into it when explaining about felting with wool.  I did a "dog and pony show" when I stepped on the bus before they came inside.  I took my olive oil soap, part of a wool fleece, tupperware seal, silk cacoon and silk hankies and explained what they would be encountering once they stepped inside.  I think they liked it.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Sooo excited to have April Kelly's work in our gallery

Yesterday, April Kelly brought two pieces to our gallery for exhibit and sale.  I love her work. Bright red, purple and lime green will be gracing our walls soon. We are pleased to represent this new artist in our gallery.  April is an author and recently retired Senior Vice President of LinkedIN.

GrowNebraska CEO visits our gallery and studio

Great visit with Janell Anderson Ehrke at the gallery and studio a couple of nights ago. Janell lives across the state and just has not been able to stop in until now.  It was great having her visit and share ideas.  Incidently, she loved our place. Janell snapped this shot of me in front of Kitt's lovely scarves and Sharons art quilts.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Always Learning More

Fun day yesterday at University of Nebraska, Omaha.  Great presentation on doing business with the government and also socialeconomics presented by two very capable representatives of GrowNE, Heidi and Erin.  I continually need to brush up on different aspects of social media.  Today I have some of our wearable and glass art available for purchase at the GrowNE booth at the National 4-H Extension Agents Conference in Omaha.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Trailing of the Sheep Festival coming up this week

Can hardly wait to go back.  What am I looking forward to?  Photographing sheep, seeing sheep wagons, the herd heading down Main Street and of course the Fiber Festival....Exciting time.

Great talks by women from the West, Baxter Black and on and on....and maybe a few bites of delicious lamb at the foodie fest.

Bad Girl

I have been a bad girl...or a busy one and haven't posted on my blog since August 22.  A lot has gone on since then. Wedding in San Jose, visited the Textile Museum there and heard a lecture on scrap quilts. Very enlightening. Attended the Creative Felt Gathering in Michigan for the first time, took classes from some outstanding teachers...came away very enthused about felting more frequently.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Everyone Knows



Everyone who knows me knows I am not a sewer....but I'm trying to develop some new skills so that I can enter some pieces in different kinds of shows. So far have made a pillow and a hot pad for the kitchen..so glad I used great fabrics....makes a difference. I placed my felted geode on one of the blocks of the hot pad...looks like it belongs. 2nd picture is of my teacher (patient teacher) holding my pillow...

Re-arrange the gallery

Today was a re-arrange the gallery day. Not completed just yet but getting there. Today I took a class on making a binding...hope I get better at that! Used some previously purchased dynamite fabrics so when I get the needle and thread out to finish it, it should be gorgeous.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

So many new things to learn, so little time

Last night, went to the Midwest Fiber Art Alliance get together...it's so much fun being around like minds. All are entering in the exhibit later in the year but me.....of course. I'm still trying to play catch up on my project from Frieda Anderson's workshop. I am not a quilter but am attempting to learn a bit as well as spinning wool. Last night I took a class on making a quilted pillow...it is going to be lucious...I'm so excited....and the patience of the teacher Jeanne was amazing to me. My spinning teacher Mary is equally patient with me. Way to go gals!

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Photography contest winner

My photo that I took under the bean in Chicago's Millinium Park took first place in the Sarpy Arts Council first ever photo contest travel category. I was soooo excited. Also took 3rd place in the same category with a photo of colorful Japanese bikes.

Design Day Tomorrow....Chicago Botanic Garden here I come

Ok, here it comes....a day working on my new shawl....ideas are coming fast and furious. Hope to enter it in the fashion show at the Chicago Botanic Gardens in November if I'm available to go to the Fine Art of Fiber. Keep your fingers crossed.

Great Weather the last couple of Days...Yippee!

Great weather....enjoying our herb garden...sage, basil, chives, rosemary, thyme, marjoram, mint and veggies, tomatoes, green onions, lettuce, and 2 measly okra plants! ....many creative dishes coming out of the garden produce. Love to cook..

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

GREAT NEWS! Nomination as one of the new or emerging businesses

Whew, just got off the phone with the Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce. We have been nominated along with 4 others as the new or emerging business of the year. This is very exciting...just to be nominated!

Monday, July 25, 2011

The big news in Springfield

Lady Gaga has been in Springfield shooting a new video....it's all the talk of the town. She didn't stop by our place. Maybe next time.

OPEN sign coming soon

We have purchased an OPEN sign for the gallery....Think you'll like it....stop by to see if we got it up yet.

Sarpy County Fair coming next week

I have been printing some photos for a photo contest...I can only enter 5....out of a mere 14,000 in my puter...So hard to select from all of those. Just when I think I have my 5 selected I pull up a couple of more I "have" to use....decisions,decisions. May even enter some in the fair????

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Springfield,NE is all a buzz...Lady Gaga is in town shooting a video

Everyone is excited. Lady Gaga is in town shooting her next video. From all reports her favorite recording studio is in Omaha.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Thurs is Lemonade day at the Gallery

Today, I tried out our new lemonade dispenser...works really well...Threw a couple of cherries in the bottom, just for color...and of course sliced lemons....

It was refreshing.

Open til 8pm tonight.

Friday, July 1, 2011

Can hardly wait for the parking spaces to be filled.


I am so excited that Main is finally shaping up. The new lights aren't in yet but the street is ready. Stop in to say Hi! Barriers are being removed as we speak.

Main Street Springfield opening tonight



Great news, the construction on Main Street has progressed enough for them to open it up again after being closed to auto traffic. Come see us tomorrow. We'll celebrate!

Look for our flower pots on either side of our door.

Be the Winner!

The first person who comes in the gallery and mentions this blog will receive a teflon pressing cloth 12" x24". Must be claimed by July 6, 2011.

Omaha Quilt Show was fantastic. Even though I didn't win a ribbon for my piece, the judge made nice comments about my design and composition. I was happy! I know I need to work on my stitch length....just as he pointed out.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Monday, June 20, 2011

So much to do, so little time

Yesterday our grandson Michael participated in the Duathalon in Papillion,NE, not far from our studio. He came in 56th...not bad for the first time ever in this type of race. It was a run, a bike ride, a run. There were close to 200 participants. We were there to root him on.

NCAA College World Series in Omaha as we speak

It's a great 2 weeks in Omaha where I live. College World Series brings tons of fans into the Omaha area. Lots to do here, visitors to our city will love a short drive out to our gallery and studio in Springfield....it's only 6 miles off I-80, exit 440, at 183 Main Street, Springfield,NE.
Come on out.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Sarpy County Fair

Mark your calenders for the county fair. it will be August 3-7th and this year they are celebrating their 75 year. Come on up Main Street and visit the shops and restaurants. We're at 183 Main Street on the South side of the street.

June 25th is coming soon!



Hurry on in to see the great art quilt and wearable exhibit at our gallery and studio before it's too late. The art quilts are available for purchase and they are one of a kind. If you don't want to miss out, come in soon. We will be closed a couple of days this month so call first. 402-301-9162

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Customer Service Lunch and Learn today at the Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce

Learned some new things today and was reminded of some we forget. Excellent program.

Springfield Days a Success

Great fun was had by all over the weekend. I did a felting demo with wool and soap, there were hulu hoop contests, water fights with the fire dept, parade, clogging, barbershop quarted, lots of kids activities....can hardly wait til next years event. We may have a float or car or sheep wagon or ???? who knows what.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Todays a production day...scarves, purses, etc





Today I've been busy making a shawl/scarf and a purse. Shawl is done...will post front and back side photos. It's reversable. Turned out really well.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

US Senator Johanns visits Springfield ArtWorks


Yesterday was an exciting day for Springfield. US Senator Mike Johanns visited our gallery and studio as well as other businesses. I participated in a roundtable with him almost a year ago and my vision is starting to take hold. I'm so excited....
Margie

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Busy times

Finally getting in the rythm of creating after two weeks away for some fantastic surface design classes. Jane Dunnewold was a fantastic teacher....good to have Maggie Weiss in the class too. She really inspires me. Got all my pieces washed and ironed yesterday.

My second class was with Kathy Weaver. It was a refresher for me on airbrushing. It is the first time I have airbrushed on fabric. My pieces are very simple. Kathy taught us some great designing ideas. My first piece is neon green on white...I love it.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Jane Dunnewold, my teacher with 2 of my pieces


Jane was a fantastic teacher...ordered one of her books today...can't wait to get it.

My first piece in progress


Guess what the rubbings are from?

Another piece from my class


Here is another piece I did in class....just love the colors.

Surface Design Classes the last 3 days


Had a great time at my classes at the Fine Line, taught by Jane Dunnewold....just the beginning of new surface design work.
Lots of fantastic art from my fellow students. Maggie Weiss and I had a great time exploring with my tree design.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Attended Pre-Conference today in Norfolk,NE

Had a great day learning more about web site optimization......and meeting new Nebraska Grow members. Such great businesses....I loved it. Husker businesses are the best! Visited the Norfolk Grow Nebraska store....lots of great items. Stay tuned for tomorrows report.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Gallery view2 of Art Quilt Exhibit on Main Street in Springfield,NE

Gallery view of Art Quilt Exhibit on Main Street in Springfield,NE

Art Quilt Exhibit on Main Street in Springfield,NE


It's so much fun hosting this special exhibit and sale at Springfield Artworks in Nebraska. Beautiful work by several artists. Here are two pieces by Frieda Anderson that are in the exhibit.

Class tomorrow--felted button bracelet


Felted button class tomorrow...ready and excited.

Phew! what a weekend.

Just spent a couple of days in class....learning how to make a wonderful art quilt and attempting to do some free form quilting stitches...have a way to go on both of those projects. Not being a sew-er is a challenge. Frieda Anderson, from Illinois was the workshop instructor....wonderful!

Monday, March 7, 2011

Kids classes coming to Springfield Artworks

Great fun for kids coming to Springfield. First class will be decorate your t-shirt....fun, fun.

Creative fun

The last couple of days have been incredibly fun for me.....etched a really fantastic bowl...haven't etched in a while....sandblaster all hooked up and ready to go. I also did a really cool heart dish using irid glass....will post pics later in the week. Hope everyone else is enjoying creativity!

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Great music day

Day off and pre-valentine concert....Got to hear the amazing Omaha Symphony and David Cassidy today. David said the Omaha Symphony is one of the top three orchestras in the country....I've always felt they are the tops but great to hear a professional express that as well. David has an amazing voice....fun day.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

New Art Quits to be exhibited at Springfield ArtWorks

Soon we will be having new work by Sharon Malec and Frieda Anderson, both members of PAQA, the professional Art Quilters organization in Illinois. I'm excited.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

First ever glass fusing classes at Springfield ArtWorks

Be the first to sign up for our glass fusing classes. Our first class will be Saturday Feb 5 from 1:30-3pm. It is a beginner class and you will create a 6" heart shaped dish...no glass cutting required.

In this class you will be creating your own piece of glass art. You will receive info on basic warm glass technics that will enable you to continue with future classes on more complex glass art. Class size limited to 6. More class info by calling 402-301-9162. Classes held at 183 Main Street, Springfield.