 Happy New Year! We're only a few days in and things don't seem that different but I am hopeful that 2022 is going to be better than the past two years. I don't make resolutions, I prefer to reflect on the past year before looking ahead. It helps me get a better idea of what I want for all the different parts of my life. I still have some serious planning to do but in the meantime, I found this quote and thought it sounded like the perfect way to start any plan I might come up with for the new year.  The first time I saw and read this quote it made me smile and laugh because the silly part of me could imagine doing all 3 of these things. Doesn't it sound like a fun way to approach the new year? Well, even if I don't 'hop happily' and 'scream loudly' to friends every day you'll certainly find me collecting lots of shiny things. If you remember, last month I mentioned to start saving your holiday foil candy wrappers. Well, they are some of the shiny things I've been collecting for a very long time.
My first workshop for 2022 is "Sweetest Valentine" and it's all about repurposing foil candy wrappers into "Sweet Valentines". Maybe you have a few leftover from the holidays? If not, it's the perfect excuse to go get a bag of sweet treats - just for the wrappers of course : ) In the class, there's a little painting for the backgrounds, covering heart shapes with burnished foil wrappers and embellishing with some simple stitching.  Registration opens on Friday, January 14th, 2022   "The new year stands before us,
like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written." ~ Melody Beattie
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 There were so many beautiful days in October and November is starting off the same way. This year we are having a longer than usual growing season. The average date for the first frost in my part of coastal Connecticut is between October 11th and October 20th. It's now the second week of November and we've had a couple of very light frosty mornings but no hard frost that makes the tender annuals and perennials say their last goodbye. Look at all the color I was still enjoying during the last week of October.  One of the first plants to go when just the slightest frost hits is the sensitive fern and that's exactly why it's named as it is. The green turns to a pale golden yellow with an edging of brown. I like how the fading plant resembles the print I got when using one to make an eco-print.   I've been saving leaf skeletons for years and have a large collection I keep organized in clear sleeves in a notebook. For the past 5 weeks, I've enjoyed looking over that collection and choosing ones to feature in my Monday morning sketchbook collages. Take a look at the video below for a start to finish view of one being created.  Follow along on Instagram to see all my Monday morning sketchbook collages.
 “If a year was tucked inside of a clock, then autumn would be the magic hour." ~Victoria Erickson This is how we began the month of April here in New England. SNOW!  The crocus and daffodils had already been making their way out of the ground reaching for the sun when Mother Nature decided winter wasn't over yet. The resilience of the daffodils always amazes me and I thought maybe I might take a hint from them. Instead of getting agitated at the late season cold and snow I could sit back have a little patience and let things happen as they will and are meant to not as I want them to. More easily said than done, I know, when we are all craving the greenery of new plants and the warmth of the spring sun. The best part is that we know it will get here eventually because it always does! Upcoming Exhibitions
 Every gardener knows that under the cloak of winter lies a miracle... A seed waiting to sprout, a bulb opening to the light, a bud straining to unfurl. And the anticipation nurtures our dreams. ~ Barbara Winkler |
AuthorHi, I'm Kathy a collage, eco-print artist, and rust enthusiast who loves to teach and guide you along on your creative journey. Archives
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