Platte River Christmas kicked off with Springfield,Ne businesses

Yesterday Springfield Artworks officially kicked off Platte River Christmas by inviting Main Street Businesses to the gallery. Consigning artists also attended the event.

Wine, cheese and conversation were enjoyed by all.

                                  Great holiday shopping
  has begun in one of Omaha area's most unique gallery and boutiques. 

We welcome all shoppers to experience the hospitality and free gift wrap on items over $20. Artist demos and refreshments too!  from Omaha take 144th St South just 6 miles from I-80, turn left on Main St to 183 Main or exit 440 on I-80, then south just 6 miles and left to 183 Main.

Omaha Spinners and Weavers Guild Sale Tomorrow

It will be a great sale...so many lovely things.  Come see us. I'll be there from 8:15-12:15 and then at Springfield Artworks.  A customer is coming for some roving.  She didn't know we sold felting supplies.  I need to get the word out.  Mega colors available of wool roving, plus tools, etc.

Margie

PS Glenn's piece for Columbia, South America is almost done...Yeh!

Preparing for November events

It's been busy around the studio.  Glenn and I have both been working frantically preparing for the upcoming holiday season.  His new ornament tree is full and his Wild Animal pieces have kept him busy.  He has done a couple of commissions for companies using their logos.  He loves doing that.

I have been experimenting with a new dyeing process...working with silk only...results are fantastic....will surprise you some day with the luscious colors.  I can use them on my fascinator hats as well as shawls and scarves.  I think I could enjoy dyeing all day long.....love it.

A magazine contacted us about some info on our classes....That's exciting! Guests coming to shop tomorrow from Topeka Shriners. We look forward to having them.  Great weather for shopping!

Catching Up

Just returned from Arkansas to see my grandson perform in his Master's Degree recital.  Never knew so many sounds could come out of a tuba.  As always, I was very proud of Michael. His great-grandmother got him started in music when she sat down with him at her organ. Love how it all turned out....now to the gallery.  Should have two packages waiting for me today.  One, some Kakishibu for my new classes as well as stencil paper...can hardly wait to open the pkg...also awaiting pkg from Europe with felting tools....they should be here too.  Stop by to see the latest....and sign up for classes! Have special running on Laura's scarves today only. Get free small felted item if you buy one of Laura's scarves today....orange, blue, etc...lovely.

Great Sunday!

Pheasant Stroganoff prepared by hubby, r and r on my day of rest....Love it. Yesterday was a fantastic day.  Had many visitors at the galleery, did a demo on making a felted vessel for some seniors, had a visit from an excited teen ager who is going to study international studies at college who loves the Japanese culture. It was so much fun sharing stories with she and her Mom and sisters.

Birds are chirping...they must be very happy.  Thinking of making felted bird houses so mama bird can lay her eggs safely and keep them warm til they hatch. I am not sure what size the holes should be...if anyone has some suggestions, please let me know.

Whew! Finally settling down.

After a whirlwind learning experience in Chicago and Racine,WI, I am finally getting to try some of the new things I learned. I also have big plans to develop a lecture on the Japanese fiber arts in the future....but first must "Make some Art".  Just finished a pleated vessel in blue and purple.  Part of the creation of the vessel was done yesterday in front of the TV camera for possible inclusion in a commercial for Sarpy County amenities....stay tuned...will see if it makes the cut.

Exciting new skill

Recently returned from Chicago where I attended a workshop at my North Surburban Needle Arts Guild.  It was taught by Akemi Cohn.  The ancient art of Katazome is right down my alley.  I continue my strong interest in all things Japanese.  Have made 5 pieces so far.  I ordered a special tool for distributing the rice paste resist....can hardly wait to try it out.

Jane Davila class was great

Had a wonderful time at the Jane Davila class at Cottonwood Quilters on Sunday.  Will post pics later of a couple of my small pieces.  What I liked about this was that all things were small....I can do that! (That info is for all my quilt friends who know I'm sewing challenged)

Just for fun

This week I was privileged to take a class from the designer of Bloomin Minds patterns. She did a workshop for Cottonwood Quilters at a local hotel.  Her patterns are so fun.  I am still working on mine.  It's called Tweet, Tweet, Twitter. Picture is of my piece in progress.

Girl Scout artVenture project at Springfiled Artworks

Four girls are participating in the artVenture project at Springfield Artworks. The girls get an opportunity to work with an artist in designing and creating a project for a fund raiser at the University of Nebraska, Omaha on March 23 to benefit the local Girl Scouts.

The girls spent time designing and creating a needle felted beret and will be creating a felted flower for themselves using the same wool and yarn in the second session.

Valentines is coming

Busy making valentine hearts for your loved one.  I have etched mirrored ones, used crushed glass and fused it onto sheet glass....many, many things will be available first of February.  You have to come see us at Springfield Artworks.

Girl Scout Event

I am preparing for the Girl Scout Artventure at Springfield Artworks this Sunday.  Girls will be needle felting on a beret.  Should be fun.  More to come.

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...

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!

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.

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.

Another piece from my class

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

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!

Just in Case You Miss the Classes

If you can't make the classes next week, you can still learn how to do nuno felting, felted vessels and felted flowers. Kay and Rona's DVD are available at Springfield ArtWorks......just $13 each.