3 days...

We've done a lot in just 3 days: Eric Carle collages, surfboard designs, contour drawing, wire sculpture, acrylic paintings, clay sculpture... and made some great new friends!

A little bit of exciting news

Do you remember this cover from last year? Karen Holmes has a beautiful website up for her book and it's also listed on amazon.com. She is giving all proceeds to breast cancer research. She is incredible!! It was an honor to design the book cover because I know how much this means to her and how brave she was to share her experience. I wish her all the success in the world because I know she'll touch many hearts with her words.

first day of art camp

Here's some photos taken after the Kinder class. We painted lots of pieces of paper for our Eric Carle collages tomorrow! And one photo of one of the Big Kids with her buttons for today!

sneak peek at summer art camp stuff

I've been busy making button designs for June's camp ...and the t shirt design for the back of their camp shirts...

Whew... now to actually print all the shirts. yes. myself. I'm trying out the yudu which is a lot like the old Gocco machines, just updated. I'll let you know how it goes! I can't wait to see the kids on Monday!

new and happy

First, thank you for your kind comments on my last post. Having good friends makes the tough times in life so much easier.

The new window is up for the summertime... the ocean... I know... it's not a unique theme. It's so hard to take photos of it, but I drew bubbles on the windows with those Crayola Window Markers and they are pretty cool!

Here is my funny version of Mia's crocheted Mermaid. I know I didn't have the right sized hook but I'm not sure why she turned out so HUGE. She works though...

A silly felt fish...
And I finally have Juleann's beautiful wool felt and metal "Fusion Line" of jewelry out displayed. If you're in the area, stop in to see it! I snagged some green and white beaded earrings...



If you are interested in any pieces you see here, email me and they can be yours!!

I also got a nice mention (3 times) on jojo-caramel's blog!! My sweet owl, bird and mushrooms said farewell to France and hello to Lancaster! Thank you SO much jojo-caramel!!! xoxo

Last but not least, pop over to Becky's blog and wish her a Happy Birthday today!!! I've been celebrating her birthday since 5th grade!! ;)

take pause

Today the sun came out finally... it's been a week of dreariness and rain. I have a million things to do before my art camps start on Monday. I woke up with so many lists in my head. While eating breakfast I thought I could multitask and do some bills on my computer. I didn't expect to see an email about a fellow alumni from High School. Staci Kelts passed away yesterday from a brief bout of cancer... untreatable. I think this is the first time I have lost someone from my past, my own age. I wasn't close friends with Staci but she was definitely a big part of our days at GHS. She was bubbly and loud... always in drama club and singing! I always remember her smiling. She was really the opposite of me, who was shy and quiet and very much introverted. I appreciated her enthusiasm for life. That is what is so hard about this. It's not that I haven't had cancer affect my family. I have and too much. But to know someone who has just entered their early 40's, left a loving husband and has not even experienced most of their later years... it's inconceivable. It made me suddenly appreciate every single thing that happened this morning... kissing the kids good morning and wishing I wasn't leaving home to go to Hatch to work. I believe I'm doing good things here, but is that really the most important thing? And am I making the right decisions every day? Do I appreciate everything? Taking pause to think about these things is really important. I also have a sadness in my stomach that one more wonderful person is not with us anymore. I sent flowers from our graduating class to her memorial service held on Sat., June 27th like the ones pictured above. Her death is already having an effect on classmates all over the country. She had offered to help with our 25th reunion next year. I'm so sorry that she won't be there to see us all. It's a sad day.

great friends

Have I ever told you what great friends I have? I know I did! Last week my friend Janice stopped by HATCH with a bag full of these delicious sugar cookies!!!!! These were the last two... I barely got to take a photo before they disappeared too! Janice's Dad made the cookie cutter of the HATCH Owl just for this. I am SO impressed!!

And look what arrived in my mailbox this afternoon...

A beautiful box from jojo-caramel in France!!!! She has been busy working on some very special crochet pieces that will go on display at HATCH...

I adore her style of art...

I can't get over how cute this HATCH owl is!!! I love the eyes! And everything else about him!! Hellooo mascot!!!

And this little bird hoop is just the most charming little birdy I've seen!!! I LOVE red and white gingham (Olivia didn't know that). You realize none of this will be sold. She made it especially for me (now I'm going to cry!!!)

There were also goodies from the Eiffel Tower and of course chocolate because she knows I also have the addiction! THANK YOU for making my day!!!! Now to start saving for plane tickets to Paris!!

I don't think I told you that Nathaniel had his fifth grade play last Friday night and again for the school today! He played a guard at the palace. It was called "Beauty IS a Beast" and they did an absolutely fantastic job!!! When these kids are in high school, they'll have a wonderful Drama Club! (Nathaniel is on the very left...)

have you had your indie fixx?

For lots more gorgeous photos from Art Star Craft Bazaar look at Indie Fixx's blog. (I copied two of her photos!) By the way, Juleann of Wearable Jules is stopping by HATCH on Monday to meet me and see what's going on. I may have some news about that soon. Just sayin'....

the British do summer better

I was trying to catch up on my blog reading and saw the most fantastic deck chair on Rebecca's blog post! She had found beautiful fabric at the Country Living Fair but also pointed us in the direction of this fabulous company Deckchair Stripes which carries the perfect canvas for outdoor furniture and also garden and beach items, as well as home products. I'm in love. I know that some of you think that American summertime classics can't be beat, but then I have to remind you that it all came from Europe originally anyways. If money was no object, I would order one of the beach tents! Can't you see toting one anywhere you want a private little changing room or respite? It's so turn-of-the-century. Speaking of that, we have a new turn-of-the-century. Will it hold as much charm? I don't think so!

they tried to tell me...

and finally I listened! Photo editing makes a HUGE difference!!! It's rare for a photo to come out perfectly without a little editing and though I knew that, I guess my lazy side never wanted to actually look into "fixing" the little things that weren't quite right. And on Macs it's so easy in iPhoto!  I would say I'm a purest but that's really pushing it. Look at this photo of Jenny Hart compared to the (crappy) photos I posted from the Art Star Craft Bazaar! You can actually SEE her! Amazing. I'm a photo editing convert now. I just have to take it easy with the saturation. I go a little overboard. But I'm totally loving the Black & White option. LOVE.

"Maureen" by Bethany Hissong

"Beach Bronco" by Bethany Hissong

"Beach Bronco" by Bethany Hissong, in "Antique"