Pastimes and Passions

Another 100 Days

Another 100 Days

It is the 100 Day Challenge time again over on Instagram. I could deepen a practice I already have - apparently that's not me. Though I don't do digital collage (yet), I'm intrigued by the idea of having an image bank of textures and patterns....

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January Teasers

January Teasers

January if filled with so many opportunities for free “teaser” online art classes. In fact, there are too many to choose from. This year, I chose to join Collage Breakthrough, Cat Rains' (@catrains.artist) free 11 day introduction to collage...

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Cooler By the Lake

Cooler By the Lake

I've sewn almost all my life, but I've never dipped my toe into the designing merch waters until now.  “Cooler by the Lake” is a phrase you hear often in my Chicago neighborhood, but most of the shirts with the slogan either don't have the neckline...

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Girls, Glitter, and Glue

Girls, Glitter, and Glue

Thanks once again to Nancy Akerly of Liberty Grove Paper Arts I was able to start AND finish another clever handmade box.  It was fun to finally work with her in person at the Handmade Book Club retreat in the Berkshires known as Books in the...

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Parts of Patches and Parts in Paducah

Parts of Patches and Parts in Paducah

Last month I traveled to Paducah for some artsy-craftsy fun. Kristin Williams of Ephemera Paducah resurfaced with a great new workshop in collaboration with Mary Beth Shaw.  Junk journaling, mixed media journaling, just general playing with paper,...

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Late Night Scrolling

Late Night Scrolling

Maybe it was the trip to Ireland several months ago.  Maybe it's the fact that it appears I am now the designated family source that the nieces and nephews are being sent to for ancestry information. In any case, I'm not swabbing any cheeks but I...

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A New Crafty Addiction – Travel Stones

A New Crafty Addiction – Travel Stones

Another crafty rabbit hole. With many thanks to @larkandbower for the inspiration and instruction in off-loom weaving. This is the first mini-grouping of woven Travel Stones, representing the Cliffs of Moher (Ireland - no cliffs harmed in...

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The Invisible #100dayproject

The Invisible #100dayproject

Once a year starting in mid-February, there is an Instagram challenge many artists participate in called the #100dayproject.  I’ve done it myself more that once, and the habit of daily creativity and accountability has been really fun. I was going...

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An Invisible #100dayproject

An Invisible #100dayproject

Those of you who are artists on Instagram, or follow artists on Instagram may be familiar with the #100 day challenge.  A big part of the challenge is to make a long-ish term commitment to an artistic project of your own design and to regularly...

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I’m late for Chaos

I’m late for Chaos

February has been another travel month, so another month that art has to be made in the cracks of available time and with whatever materials made it into the art supply cull or ephemera from daily life. Collage is one of the "multi"s in my...

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