michelle ward

amazing typography play

Fallon always finds cool things online.  Here is the latest thing she sent from youtube, by "jibyollee". The comments are disabled on the page, but if I could write one I would say "OMG, THIS IS SO CLEVER!!"

 

 

CREATE EAST 2012

Next week the Create Mixed Media Retreat will go live, announcing the workshops and instructors that will be in NEW JERSEY in July!  It is very exciting to be in the line-up and teaching less then five miles from home!  I've posted links to my classes in the left sidebar, (Carrie already spied it!) and you can get to my workshop listings on the toolbar just below my banner.

I hope to see some of you at the event.  I don't know who else will be teaching yet, except for my friend Seth Apter.

I meant to post this earlier...

If you click on over to the Street Team blog you'll see I don't believe in New Year's Resolutions but take the turn of the calendar as time to reflect on past accomplishments.  I find it rewarding and motivating.  I have posted a To-Do/Ta-Da list for you to print and use over on the Street Team.  If you've been wanting to get things going in your journal come over and play with us.  Eleven days to go....that means two weekends still left!

 

One of my Ta-Das for 2011 was to propose 42 stencil designs to Stencil Girl Products.  Two more have been released!  I had submitted the borders as 12" but Mary Beth and John launched them as 6" and they are so cute!  Perfect for an edge of a card, or a small journal page.  I've been playing with them - will show you soon.

 

It's 9:00 on a Saturday.....

REMINDER:  Registration for Valley Ridge Art Studio Workshops starts on Saturday, January 14th at 9:00 a.m. Central Standard Time.

We've been watching season three episodes of Castle on dvd, which includes my favorite, "Last Call".  It ends with a fabulous scene, if you missed it click HERE.  Piano Man is one of those songs that you love to sing along to isn't it?  So you can imagine I cracked myself up when preparing this blog post as a reminder that registration for Valley Ridge opens at nine o'clock this Saturday. (FYI: it's 9:00 a.m. CST)

The phrase hasn't left the soundtrack running in my mind and I'm guessing if you take a listen it will stay with you too....and will be a fun reminder to register at 9 or whatever time it is in your zone this Saturday morning.  A live version of Piano Man by Billy Joel HERE, or in tandom with Elton John on the Tonight Show below. 

EDIT:  *smacks head*, it begins at 9:00 Central Standard Time....I revised from previosuly posted PST.

 

 

Hope to see you in Wisconsin in October.  There are many fabulous class offerings by stellar instructors at VRAS this season, visit the site to check it out.  ValleyRidgeArtStudio.com

Epiphany and epiphany

We don't begin taking down Christmas until after today, Epiphany...the true Twelfth Day of Christmas.  The first thing we set up following Thanksgiving is our manger scene.  A perfect way remember the meaning of Christmas is to start and end with our Nativity.  It continues to grow with new additions each year.  You can't really see it here, but we have over a dozen angels flocking around the back.  Nearly every item has been a gift....except for a new tree we indulge in each season. 

 

While today is Epiphany with a "E", back in October I had an epiphany with a "e".  After seeing Candyce Marten's article in Somerset Studio, where she fabricated trees from stacks of cut cardboard, I had to give it a try, and add one more silver tree to our sparkley forest.  I got a good start on it then the holiday schedule crept in and I set the project aside until just after Christmas.  I wrote to Candyce to thank her for the inspiration and we shared some lovely email exhanges....then the sweet and precious tree that appeared in the article arrived at our door.  A most special gift!  When I asked her permission to blog about this she asked that I explain how she wanted to return a kindness, and that kindness is contagious.  So true, right?  A simple gesture of sending a note with much deserved recognition of fine work, resulted in an unexpected surprise.  How often to we miss an opportunity to brighten someone's day by reaching out because we can?   Try it....both the homemade tree, and the spreading of kindness, any time of year.

 

 

Our existing trees have been collected from TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Home Goods, or Michaels.  The layered text tree was a score from Anthropologie's after-xmas-sale last week.  When I saw this red metal tree at Target (on clearance too!) I knew I could make it my own with a quick shot of spray paint.  Shown here as Before and After with my cardboard stacked tree.

 

As you may remember from past posts about my table top setting, we have a pink tree to go with the pink deer from Judi, a sign for my sister.  Another sweet deer keeps her company, gifted from Linda this year.  And then I found this tin embossed deer from Pottery Barn....a staggering find with the leg raised ;) 

This morning I began journaling about the holiday....love the cut strips fashioned into a tree to remind me of this year, and my new friend.  What traditions do you build on each year?  Put it in your journal.

 

Happy Epiphany! 

Happy 2012

 

Thanks for coming by here and sharing your thoughts, your comments, your enthusiasm, and your stories with me.  I love that this little place is where I have made new friends and kept up with old ones....some whom I've met, and some I only know through the words we exchange.  I enjoy your company.  I am a lucky girl. 

 

Wishing you a very Happy New Year!  Be well and behave ;)

hey locals!

The last time I taught a public workshop locally was probably 2005.  I am very happy to be telling you I will be teaching two classes in New Jersey in July.  I will offer more details soon, but here is a teaser....

I get alot of requests to teach near home which I would love to do but haven't found a venue until now.  I hope you'll join me - stay tuned for the details :)

christmas music

My favorite...Stevie Nicks and Robbie Nevil....sing Silent Night....I have it on the album Very Special Christmas, but never saw this live performance until tonight.  Followed by Band-aid...another favorite.

 

wishing you..

A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  XOXO

here comes the....

After a  day of rain on Wednesday I was so happy to see the sun yesterday.  I was keenly aware that it was the Winter Solstice, and seemed to feel the return of the sun, as we march toward longer days.  It may have only been seconds more than earlier in the week but it felt brighter, cheerier.  Maybe it was simply a case of enjoying a nearly 60 degree day when I was out and about, when it should be much much colder.  All day I was humming "here comes the sun"....and it occured to me...the Son is also coming.  Well, His celebration anyway. 

Solstice.  Christmas.  And it's the middle of Hanukkah.  Whatever it is you celebrate, I wish you the best.  When I say Merry Christmas I always hope the listener hears what I'm saying, which is:  I don't know the particular holiday you are celebrating this year so please take these words as wishes for a glorious season with loved ones.

I have loved buying and using these clever gift tags from Anthropologie.  I scored my last stash on clearance (yay!) but that might mean they are no longer stocking these (drats).  Since I am swifter on the computer than the sewing machine I replicated digitally and printed on ivory cardstock.  A few cuts or punches and I replenished my tag source to go with the re-usable drawstring bags I use for wrapping up Christmas. 

A little gift for you as a thank you for being lovely, smart, sweet, and funny readers.  I'm going to attempt to upload a file here that you can download and print.  It's a pdf @ 300 dpi, 8" X 10.5".  Print on white or ivory cardstock.  Hope this helps with your wrapping and tagging tasks. 

Download MWlinedgifttagsBLOG  Click on this...hope it works.  It opens in Adobe Reader.  Here's a close-up:

 

 

it's time!

I'm excited to announce my new workshop for Valley Ridge!  Their recently revised website officially launched today so I can share details about my workshop PLUS introduce you to my new collection:  OnWARD & UpWARD.  Two sheets are available for pre-order.  Additional sheets will be revealed in February.

Visit Valley Ridge Art Studio site HERE to see all the fine offerings for the 2012 season.

And ta-da!  Here are two of the first sheets from my latest collection.  You can pre-order at GreenPepperPress.com. 

Bergdorf Goodman Holiday Windows 5 of 5

Black and white and paper everywhere!  Subtle sneaky details and high-impact-cleverly-crafted objects all fabricated from paper.  Scholarly and scientific in theme, an altered artist had a hand in this one.  Look at the evidence - numerous books have been sliced and manipulated with precision.  The backdrop and inner lining of the display is a library wall reproduction, and the frame is comprised of reference book pages under an architectural detail.  Handsome labels are posted throughout.  Scores of animals are presented in pulp that has been cut, shaped, shredded, feathered, and embossed.  A bespeckled swordfish, a proud peacock, dashing ostrich, and prancing zebra grab your attention at first glance, but stick around to see all the other remarkable creatures emerging from the shadows.  I loved this one!  Mr. Hoey is spied making some adjustments - he sees me taking photos and mouths "don't shoot".  Ha!  He is not only talented, he is funny too.  

 

 

And because this was so amazing....

 

 

Demetrios ~ if you stop by here, *high five* to you!  Spectacular!!

Bergdorf Goodman Holiday Windows 4 of 5

This glorious window was difficult to photograph since nearly every surface was reflective.  Bronze, copper, brass and gold birds of every variety, sit on perches and in cages, and some are caught in flight.  A band of animals, some with trumpets, horns, and an upright bass, pose and play.  In the back a large metal set of a moon and sun oversee the performance of the feather and charm clad singers.  Loved the music stands and microphones.  It's a jungle of copper palm fronds and ferns, with a floor of pennies.  And how about that frame assembled with fishing spinners?  Heavy metal meets the Copacabana. 

 

One more to go...I saved my favorite for last.

Bergdorf Goodman Holiday Windows 3 of 5

I wish I would have taken a photo of this block of windows from across 5th Avenue.  The underwater scene stood out from the distance with its vibrant shades of blue.  It looked like it was plugged in.  This labor intensive vignette is encrusted with jewels from every angle.  To begin at the bottom - the ocean floor is certainly not sand, but heaps of sea glass from bottle green to cobalt.  Then every surface is mosaic-covered - the waves that frame the window, as well as each finned or clawed specimen found swimming or crawling amongst the pricey gems dripping from the abundant coral.  Scales fabricated from glass, mirror, metal, faux gems, and pearls are applied in inventive and handsome patterns.  Those iridescent shells of every shape and size, plus those starfish would be a treasure to find washed up on shore!  Dress by McQueen, of course.

 

  

 

Bergdorf Goodman Holiday Windows 2 of 5

Winter in the mountains, in a lush velvet surrounded oasis, with a very posh dessert caterer with well-mannered monkeys....the thing of dreams, right?  From full size friendly polar bears, and moose, to the smaller creatures who peek out from under the icicles, every inch is beaded or crocheted or tassled or fringed or lace-covered.  The seal serves up the tea or you can have champagne, or both!  Why not?  The decadent treats, fit for a royal wedding, await you in this wonderland.

 

 

Bergdorf Goodman Holiday Windows 1 of 5

I'm not even sure how many windows surround Bergdorf Goodman...there are long ones on the two sides, then some small and some narrow ones on 5th, and there are many at the men's store across the street...but the stars are the five main windows.  I've heard they work more than a year on the props and designs and details, and that it takes two weeks to install.  We actually saw Mr. Hoey in one of the windows...crouched down on his knees...moving things around.  Then we saw him in the store so I was able to bow down in a Wayne's-World-style "I'm not worthy" gesture.  He paused with a questioning face and all I could say was "You are the Master".  He grinned.

This year's theme:  Carnival of Animals.  Here is the first of five...

 

"Artists and Models" ~ You can imagine how amazing this was with layers upon layers of visual interest. Warm and wonderful with articulated figures and animals - frozen in poses in numerous scales.  The frames are slatted shutters and pine cones - so clever.  When you look closely, which you have to do, you spy old carving tools and curls of shaved wood.  I could practically smell it.  Genius.

nearly time....

New Workshop Announcement AND New Rubber Stamps Coming Soon.  Stay tuned this week...

now and coming soon

NOW:  So give this some thought....when you are snapping photos on Christmas, or your family get-together for a holiday event, move in front of the camera.  Pass over the control and make sure you are in a few pictures.  Simple.  Important.  Even if you don't participate on our street team,  I hope you'll at least consider the challenge of CRUSADE No. 58, and get caught on film. 

 

COMING SOON:  less than a week....