michelle ward

new perrella/ward workshop announcement

You are cordially invited to participate in a three-day workshop May 1-3, 2015, hosted by Lynne Perrella and Michelle Ward.  Take a look at our announcement and if you can't resist the tempation, fire off an email to Lynne ([email protected]) with a request for the dossier of information that covers registration details. $100 deposit reserves you a place.  The class fill up fast so act quick if you're interested.  Hope you'll consider joing us at this remarkable venue!  

 

Location link:  The Interlaken Inn

  

Information available August 1st, send Lynne an email ([email protected])

REGISTRATION BEGINS SEPTEMBER 1ST.

 

Finally....evidence of Crowning Glories

This is a long post.....visually loaded. I'm finally getting caught up on presenting all the terrific students and their work from the two Crowning Glories workshops back in May.  I intended to do a montage of photos but we had so many, and my hand was ailing, so it was easier to take advantage of the photo albums here.  I'm sorry it took so long to manage the uploads.  These ladies created fabulous stuff!  You can see the artists and their work from the first weekend here:  Crowning Glories One.  And the artists and their work from the second weekend here:  Crowning Glories Two.  (When you get to the albums you can click on the thumbnails to enlarge.)

Since Lynne and I are about to announce our next workshop for May 2015, I thought I better get the evidence from our recent one posted.  Below you will find the work we did prior to the workshop.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Again, the link to the photos albums, CROWNING GLORIES ONE (May 2-4) HERE and CROWNING GLORIES TWO (May 9-11) HERE.  (When you get to the albums you can click on the thumbnails to enlarge.)

 

Next up:  our announcement for the workshops in May 2015!!

 

happy hand

Late March I came down with a bad case of trigger finger on my right hand.  For weeks I wore a brace to relieve the tendon, which helped with the clicking, but then it wouldn't straighten, and if it got bumped or pushed to full extension the pain was excrutiating.  Finally, I met with a finger doctor and he gave me a cortisone injection.  While I admit I initially regretted the decision as it was very painful and remained that way for several days, I can happily say that all symptoms have vanished (one month later) and I have a fully functioning finger.  It feels so good to be uninhibited and no longer limited by my temporary ailment.  If it should return I will scoot back over to get another shot sooner rather than later, but for now I'm watching my behavior with preventative measures.  Let me say this:  if you are on the fence about seeking care for a worn out body part, don't delay!

Evidence of a terrific Event

It's such a privilege to spend time with artists both in the classroom and at an event.  What a terrific group of ladies that came from near and far to join me and the other instructors for some creative time together.  Of course we hope to learn something, and leave with enthusiasm to keep at it, and even pick up the pace, but to me the greatest take-away is the connections we make with other makers.  Outside of the venue, like in real life, it's likely we have a handful of creative friends....but here, for five days, we are in a hub of creative energy.  What happens in the classroom fulfills me in such a unique way and I can hardly wait to do it again.  

I didn't stop to take many photos along the way but I did manage to pause for group photos.  I have to say that the Roll With It class picture has to be the best group shot ever.  I've taught this class a number of times in the last twelve years, and we try to get a composite of all the rolls prior to journal assembly - not always easy to get 25 feet x 25 students in one photo....so thankful for a hotel balcony this year.  The collest, right?  It was a fast-paced with lots of techniques and they did an amazing job keeping up, and cranked out some stellar pages.  Well done ladies!

 

 

Next was Color Collision where we mixed paints, then applied them using stencils.  Beautiful paintings!  I wish I had taken close-up photos to show you how fabulous they all were.  Here are the artists:

 

Last was Compose Yourself - we went through a series of exercises to practice collage in black and white. We all learned so much from the simple assignments, and from each other during the review sessions.  I did get a photo of the Notan collages.  Super cool.  Awesome job ladies!

 

 

I also got to be a student!  I had a really wonderful time making a mini clay crown with the amazing Laurie Mika.  We've known each other a long time, we even collaborated on a project for an article years ago, but this was only our second real life meeting.  I learned so much and had a blast!!!  

 

 

Thanks to Maggie and Sally and Jeannine and everyone at Interweave/Create for presenting fabulous event. Thanks to the students who joined me, friends who popped in to say hello, and all the shoppers who stopped by at the Vendor Faire.  Hope we'll see you all again next year!

how does your garden grow?

It's been six years since we began planting roses in remembrance of Shannon.  While today's anniversary brings a tear, I am also filled with joy to have been blessed with such a sweet sister.  I will never forget your arms wrapping around me when I needed it most, thank you.  Here are two of the four walls of roses, and evidence of their rampant growth.  I never imagined they'd grow taller than the fence!  Reaching toward heaven.....xo

NEW stencils debut at CREATE NJ

It's a busy time, packing and prepping for workshops.  I'm also excited that I will be accepting delivery on a batch of new stencils that will debut at the event on Friday.  These are designs that I cut by hand and have been using for a while, some samples below.  Gothic Collection Additions will be available online July 14. There will be coordinating stamps to follow in August.

 

 

have a good one!

Have a super fun day and a wonderful weekend - be safe, be well, and behave :)