Newsletter March 2008

Thanks to Michele for allowing herself to be “voluntold” to take the notes in March. About the time you’re all enjoying paper coiling I’ll be flying back from an exciting trip to the toilet paper factory! Whoopee! And moving day is right afterwards.
Katy

Recap of February Meeting (February 28, 2008)
Can show and tell get any better? Karen leaned to bobbin stitch at a class with Ellen Anne Eddy, and her self portrait is outstanding. She also showed us some medallions she made with a paper clay called “Model Magic” from Crayola. Allow it to dry for 24 hours, and then it can be painted (Karen used Lumiere.) Shopko and Joann’s carry Model Magic.

We thought Michele’s first journals were amazing until we saw the latest batch. She used crumpled and flattened tissue fused to muslin to create a leather look. She used decoupage and PVA librarian’s glue to seal the tissue.

Members shared several new book resources last month. “Creative Embellishments” by Sherrill Kahn provides great ideas and lots of eye candy, and “The New Creative Artist” by Nita Leland is a guide to creative development. We also got a peek at “Mixed Media Explorations” by Beryl Taylor, which can be found at Joann’s.

We eventually settled down to “business” watching Theresa’s DVD on how to make a duct-tape fitting model. It’s very thorough and shows every step. Theresa is willing to lend the DVD if you are interested in making your own dressform.

Announcements and Reminders
Women Who Run with Scissors, including our own Karen, are holding a show at the Peninsula Art School and Gallery in Fish Creek from March 21 through April 26. More information is available at www.peninsulaartschool.com.

New address!
Katy is moving! As of March 28, her new address is
(see paper copy)

March Meeting (Thursday March 27, 2008)
Due to Katy’s travel schedule and moving date, drawing on the right side of the brain is rescheduled to April. In March, Karen will lead us in a reprise of the paper rush technique. Come ready to make a unique art pin or brooch. Karen will provide the paper core, and you should bring

• Perle cotton, sock yarn, or similar-weight fiber
• A tapestry needle
• Beads and embellishments as desired
  

Upcoming Events
March 27, 2008: March meeting, 6:30. Paper rush art pins with Karen
April 24, 2008: April meeting, 6:30. Drawing on the right side of the brain.
May 29, 2008: May meeting, 6:30. Paper Clay with Karen
June 26, 2008: June meeting, 6:30. Journal making with Michele
July 31, 2008: July meeting, 6:30. Play night.
August 28, 2008: August meeting, potluck picnic at Karen’s
September 25, 2008: September meeting, 6:30. Betty’s beading bonanza

Conversations in Cloth meets the last Thursday of each month at 6:30 at the Menasha Public Library.

Model Magic Air dry clay

Michele asked if the model magic can be sewn through when it air drys. The answer is yes! I used a heavy duty needle, metallic thread and a wide zig zag. I just went pretty slow. I also used a stabilizer under the fabric that Isewed the medallion to.

Rooted in Fantasy

The piece reveals the manner in which I am torn between the stable, everyday life that I currently lead, firmly rooted to the ground and depicted by the tree. My flight of fantasy, imagination, and the yearning to be free is evidenced by the dragonflies which are said to be fast, beautiful, and mercurial. I plan to be able to slip my roots some day, travel, and create. The orb/moon in the arms of the tree shows my face, the features of which are hard to define (as in the real ‘man in the moon’), but I am in there and dying to get out. I tend to regularly wear dangly earrings as does this tree girl. The piece is 12 X 29 and I've also included two details. This is one of two pieces that I have entered into the Peninsula Art Show in Fish Creek, March 21 to April 23.