I enjoyed a productive weekend of creativity, making flap books with upcycled papers, fabrics and buttons. What a blast! I will be selling these this fall — through Lansing Art Gallery & Education Center’s holiday exhibition and sale.
Blog
Workshop with Susan Purney Mark
I enjoyed a fabulous 2-day workshop with Susan this past weekend, “Squiggle & Dot.” The class was sponsored by the Greater Ann Arbor Quilt Guild at Washtenaw Community College as part of Quilt University, their 3-day event. We made marks on paper and fabric with India ink, fabric paint, acrylic paint, ink pens, “Derwent” inktense pencils, Gelatos, paintbrushes, and more. It was a stupendous creative weekend–Susan is a delightful teacher (https://www.susanpm.com/) and shared millions of ideas and possibilities with us. I highly recommend Susan as an instructor!
Susan’s work 
Susan’s work 
Class with Michelle Dobrin
July 26th I participated in a super fun workshop, “Fiber Gems” with fiber artist Michelle Dobrin (https://www.michelledobrinart.com/) at Washtenaw Community College. The class was hosted by the Greater Ann Arbor Quilt Guild and their bi-annual event, Quilt University. What a blast!! We stitched colorful pieces all day, which were then turned into tiny works of art! The stitched pieces were cut into pendants–WOW! I highly recommend Michelle as a teacher–what a wonderful way to spend a Friday.
Introduction to Zentangle®
I am teaching 3 sessions at Washtenaw Community College this month (http://www.wccnet.edu/community-enrichment/) and I love it! With an enthusiastic group of students we are delving into Zentangle® as a meditative drawing practice. I am so proud of these students–they inspire me! The class is doing a wonderful job–what terrific students–thank you to WCC for hosting us.
We Made Dream Houses
Yesterday morning was Senior Discovery Coffee Hour at the Allen Neighborhood Center in Lansing, Michigan (http://allenneighborhoodcenter.org/senior-discovery-group/). This lively and creative group enjoyed making their own dream houses. Patchwork houses without sewing a stitch! The scissors, buttons, and glue bottles were flying! Many thanks to Joan and the Seniors for inviting me for a delightful session.
Inspired by Daisy Yellow!
I am having loads of fun with Daisy Yellow’s INDEX-CARD-A-DAY challenge–what a blast! You work with index cards and create little bits of art each day. I make my index cards in batches–not truly working on a daily basis. If you have not looked at her web site before, try it!
Installation Day
Team Retread Art installed The Large Blue Thing yesterday morning at the Ann Arbor Art Center! Many thanks to Timothy Watters and Mike Wolf for their patient help and assistance–SUCCESS!
“Boro” Stitching
I enjoy (immensely) working on my fabric piece from Lisa Binkley’s class, “Boro Stitching.” https://lisabinkley.typepad.com/ It’s just a slow and pleasant and relaxing project. I am aiming to complete a scroll in the near future but the process is wonderful until I’m finished. Just a few detail photos.
ICAD 2019
I am having so much fun with the Index Card a Day challenge from Daisy Yellow https://daisyyellowart.com/! We create art on index cards during June and July each year–what a blast! This year I am using 3 X 5″ cards. Thank you Tammy Garcia for your direction and sponsorship!
Driving in the Country
While driving near Bancroft, Michigan, yesterday, I spotted a small cemetery. It was peaceful and quiet so I stopped and walked around a bit. Aligning a large field and serenaded by birds, I saw several old tombstones that had fallen onto the ground in years past. It was intriguing and interesting how the stones are becoming part of the earth (again). A beautiful place at the curve in the road…..
Lots of delightful lichen! 
Laura is cracked but she’s still hanging in there. 
