Mixed Media Feb/March

     Will catalog the last several weeks of mixed media creations (or attempts thereof, lol) since the end of January. 
     While in Canada, Nadine and I co-taught a book making class on "coptic stitch binding" to eight lovely artists... had a lot of fun and it worked out well with two of us teaching. Completed two coptic bound books for myself and made a coptic book to present to my "blog winner" who lives in White Rock just before crossing the border into the U.S. 

[Please see March 14 blog post.]

     During the Olympics and other times while Nadine was busy, I knitted - three hat/fingerless mitt sets, one cowl, and an additional fingerless mitt pair (all gifts). When I returned home I whipped out a dishcloth (because I needed one for the kitchen with my recent move) and a Windschief Blue beanie that has been sent to my sister Deb in Seattle; and, began Owen's socks. 
     Nadine and I played around with jewelry making for a short time when she made a pair of earrings and used a new tool I told her about - the cup bur. It is so much handier than steel wool to smooth the tip of earring wires so they don't cut into the skin. I totally suggest it and brought an extra one home for myself.
     What a beautiful studio Nadine has to work in, providing many hours of entertainment - happy hours making art, doing random acts of kindesses, and pay-it-forwards... or creating books for donation, setting up brochures, helping with cooking classes, presenting on bookarts to fiber artists - you name it - very talented - all this in the month of March.

(Can you tell - I miss the time we had together.)

Photo below reiterates my March 15th detailed post...

Quick ANC Trip

     Left Kenai at 9am in order to get to Anchorage to meet family for lunch and a hair trim at 1:30pm. Active blizzard warning for the Peninsula area including Cooper Landing. All was good driving except the mountains and pass which had torrential downpours and standing water. Of course, there are those "crazies" still out snowmachining at the summit.
     Made Anchorage in good time, however; picked up Devin and met with Jason/Lynette at Pho Jula Thai Cusine not too far from their homes. Had a great visit and delicious curry lunch special.

     After the short hair trim appointment went to Alicia/CJs and just "vegged" for the afternoon; didn't even notice that a storm was brewing and snow had arrived. Alicia came home about 630pm - we went to Asian Gardens for pineapple chicken and home to rest. 
     The photos below pretty much show the snow dump... and, my need for assistance before picking up Judy at Charlie/Poli's for a special breakfast visit and then an enjoyable few hours with her families.
     Left Anchorage at 250pm-ish. Roads were ridged from snow packing until the flats before Girdwood and all was clear for the rest of the drive home; arriving home about 530, with no snow evidenced.
     What a great weekend, making memories with a special friend and a chance to "catch up" with my own family.
     Judy and I used to watch a movie or visit at 530 in the morning after she took her husband to head to the "slope" to work on Saturdays in the 1990s. Judy would head home when everyone else was waking up! We had good times sewing and letting our tea get cold, taking the kids on outtings when they were still home, and sharing stories when we worked together.
     Have a safe trip home after your visit in Fairbanks, Judy... hugs until the next "in-person" visit!

Liz's LB "Elements" Page

     My pages for Liz's Renaissance Italy "Elements" Lacebook; the selection was "directions" of the sub-themes provided. The book was mailed to Teri in NY yesterday morning (Friday) before I drove to Anchorage (will expound on that trip tomorrow). 
     I want to show these to you since it has been a while for any display of mixed media. 
     A little about part of the details... the round looking "globe" was actually a pin that my sister Nadine provided with five ephemera hanging from it. I used my jewelry tools, cut off the parts and filed it smooth. Works well with the theme. The "flaps" for the inside pages have real "gold" thread running through the fabric. Don't have very much left and it is truly beautiful. Actually the hardest part of the project was getting the fringe to lay properly while machine stitching.
     Enjoyed working on this piece; was fun to do!

Whirlwind Synopsis

     This will be a fairly whirlwind synopsis of my January 29th - March 8th trip to Canada via short stays in Palm Springs, Sun City, and Seattle. 
     There is so much that is left out including wonderful visits with Ken and Judi Piepgras, Merle and Jacki Jones; movies and concerts; Nadine and Owen's many special friends in Canada; trips to the yarn shops and scrapbooking stores for stencils to work with gelli plates; t'ai chi qigong with Leslie; knitting/arts with Krista; suppers and/or gatherings with Pam (meeting Adam and Aaron), Pete and Kaye, Joan and Art, Deane and Geordie, John and Barb, Sandy; shower by candlelight when electricity was off; just enjoying Nadine and Owen by the fire at night and watching the Canadian Olympic special tributes and events... and, my kids in Anchorage and at home taking care of my place and vehicle.  
     A very special thanks to all those mentioned below and those not mentioned who made my month extra special.

Just so you know - if you click on the photos you get a better viewing.
All photos were pretty much shot with camera-in-hand iPhone5.

Palm Springs Lacebook Participants Retreat at Sox's Studio/Home.

Liz, Sox, Deb (and I) thrift shopping, making art, 

relaxing in the hot tub, and having Thai spring rolls.

Visit with Sara, Matt and Aidan in Arizona

[No photos of fabulous time with friends

Ken, Judi, Jacki, Merle, et. al.]

One night in Seattle with Sister Deb and Rocco...

woke up to snow for trip to Canada.

Gelli Plate Printing

Afternoon with the Beautiful Divas

[and, a special treat to three selections]

A very special "Thank You."

Very fun co-teaching "the coptic" with Nadine.

Surprise! Carole was the winner of my Blog Giveaway

and she lives in White Rock, Canada - the handmade book above was

given to her on my return trip when Nadine and Owen

drove me back to the States on March 5.

Talaysay Tourism Networking Event

at the Sechelt Nation Longhouse.

Ron and Owen performing at the Halfmoon Bay Cafe.

Certainly didn't have to return to Alaska for more snow;

this taken in Halfmoon Bay, Nadine and Owen's homefront.

Photos of Niece Cara, me and Nadine

at the Gumboot (w/Owen) for breakfast.

A cool tool - Hiya Hiya Puppy (very small scissors).

Decorated Hot Cocoa during a "fun" visit -

you know who you are!

Vancouver, heading to U.S., quick chat and lunch with

Luke, Jennifer, and Mark Higgs.

Deb and I got a "selfie" just before heading to Sea/Tac

for my trip home.

[We had a great three evenings and a shopping trip

for yarn for Deb's Hat and Owen's Socks.]

2pm - short stop to watch Miss Milena during 

the Arctic Gymnastics Meet - great score!

Turnagain Summit - 345pm - almost back in Kenai.

Seattle, Anchorage, Kenai 

8am-8pm (after grocery shopping) on March 8.

Almost forgot - had to knit this the last couple of days.

Also, completed two lacebook pages and will post

after returning from Anchorage.

On the "road" tomorrow!