Home from Art Camp for Women

I'm back!! I went to camp for the first time, and it was great! It was Art Camp for Women in the Colorado Rockies, near Winter Park, CO. Six days of nothing but an occasional glimpse of a man or two, great, chef-prepared food, and art. Did I say art? Why, yes I did! What a great opportunity to meet other like-minded women and do nothing but make art. I could get used to this! Especially the chefs, Ellen and Emily. They were fabulous!

I was able to get some new techniques down, and meet one of my favorite mixed-media artists, Kelli Nina Perkins. What a treat she is!

So, I'm already planning for another art camp for 2012. The question now is whether to go back to this one or try something new.

Hmm... I hear there's going to be one in Michigan in the spring!

Another Startling Discovery!

So, invigorated by my success at publishing (almost published I think), I ventured into the realm of teaching.

I received an email from my new-found friend and publisher, Lindsay Murray at Quilting Arts Magazine, indicating that anyone who wanted to apply could turn in an application to teach a class at "Make-It University" in Houston in November. This is part of the International Quilt Festival that is held in Houston each year, and from all accounts, is wildly successful. Me, being the sucker I am, thinks, "Sure. I'll complete a proposal to do something that I have absolutely no experience in and have no intention of going to. Why not? I won't be asked to teach anyway."

Fast forward a week later, and, of course, I have a message in my email from Lindsay asking me to teach a one-hour class at the Festival. There is no mention of payment of my expenses to get there, accommodations, food, supplies, etc. Just "C'mon down, pardner!" Me, being me, thinks about it for a microsecond: I have no money, no experience, no way to get there, I can't possibly do it."

After that brief pause ended, I, of course, started making travel plans and arrangements. I have absolutely no idea what awaits me, but WHAT AN ADVENTURE THIS IS GONNA BE!

Thursday thoughts...

Once again, I am guilty of ignoring my blog. I have good reasons for not being here, but none of them good enough to be away for almost two months. I'm not going to get anywhere like that...

So I believe my article in the magazine will be a reality. I keep thinking that something will happen and I will get the email that says "Oops, we're sorry. We left your stuff on the cutting room floor". But I don't think so. I got an email saying that the publishing date is approaching, and that they needed one more thing from me (a template). So, I guess it's for real.

We just put our wonderful dog, Ozzie, to sleep on Tuesday. It's so painful, but it was time for him to go. Anyone who loves a pet knows what I am talking about. No more pets for a while, but Dave is on a campaign for a cat. Cats get on tables and kitchen counters. Yuk! But they are cute, and can be sweet (when they want to be), unlike dogs, who are sweet 24/7. I see some meowing in my future. Train wreck... He may get his cat IF he agrees that I NEVER touch a little box, and if the cat can be hairless. I've had enough pet hair for a while!

Update

Ok. Today's the day! I am sending my beads to Pokey Bolton to be featured (well, maybe not exactly "featured") in Quilting Arts' special magazine, International Quilt Festival: Quilt Scene. I have them packaged up and ready to go - sort of like sending a child off to college (ok, not quite that dramatic). But they are going all the way to the East Coast by themselves...

I have the article for the magazine ready and will email it to the editor today as well. I have reviewed it a thousand times and had it proofed by several friends who are much smarter than I. They like it, or like to humor me. Regardless, when I get the nerve to push the "send" button, it will be on its way as well.

Then, I sit back and wait for fame and fortune to find me. Or not...

Exciting News! REALLY Exciting News!!!

So, the other day I'm in this really boring meeting and I decide to look at my iPad and check my email. In looking at my email, I saw a message from Pokey Bolton, the editor of Quilting Arts Magazine - one of my very favorite art magazines. After I closed my jaw, I opened the message, and found she was asking if I wanted to do an article for an upcoming issue of their specialty magazine, "International Quilt Festival: Quilt Scene". Again, I closed my jaw, and tried to hide the huge grin on my face (I was still in a meeting). Really? Me? Perhaps she had the wrong Lou Haines? No, I think it was definitely me since she attached the picture of my felt beads that I had emailed to her several months ago begging for a look.

So I immediately emailed her back and said I would be happy to do an article. Actually, happy doesn't quite describe it. I am over the moon! Now comes the hard work of coming up with what is needed by July 18th! Then waiting for the magazine to be published will be torture!

I am SO glad I bought new yarn for my beads while on vacation a couple of weeks ago (Nautical Yarns in Ludington, Michigan - GREAT yarn shop!). I'm so glad I have a good portion of this weekend to work on beads and an article. I'm so glad I'm throwing myself out there!

See? Sometimes it works!!

A blog is like a child...

I am feeling pretty guilty these days. I have neglected my poor blog terribly, and I feel just awful. A blog must be nurtured and cared for in order to flourish, and my blog has sat forgotten for a while now.

Ok, I'm over it. No time for this blog guilt! It's just been very, very busy this spring.

So when I last blogged, I was preparing for my first art sale, and worrying about having enough inventory. I had more than enough as I made quite a few bracelets as I sat at the show all day. But the show/sale was very successful for me, and it was a great learning experience.

I made my first necklace last night with felt beads and sari silk ribbon. I still need to take a picture, but I think it actually looks pretty good. Lots of hot pinks and oranges.

We have another show/sale in September, so I will need to dream up some new things. I like the necklaces, and also need to figure out how to attach the felt beads to hair sticks as a few ladies expressed interest in those. So many things to do - so little time...