Donna Downey's Inspired Artist Workshop

Wish I was going  HERE in May 2011 -maybe next year when I can take vacation I will attend. I have been a fan of Donna Downey for a very long time.  This is her picture from the internet (someone tell me if I'm not supposed to copy & paste because I'm new to this).  I'm sure you've seen her face on books in the fabric store, craft store, or on YouTube.  If you go to her Donna Downey website, you can view her gallery, her classes, supplies, instructions, videos and the link to her blog.  Be sure to you do this while you have uninterrupted time because there is a LOT to absorb.  Hope you enjoy her colors and inspiration as much as I do.  If you don't have time to view everything, just sign up for her newsletter. 

Pies in a Jar - What a great idea!!

        I went to the ARTISANLA last weekend with my friend GinaMarie and sampled way too many delicious treats.  Amazing and talented bakers, food designers, and everything foodie creators.  I ate way too much sugar that day and now that I'm home thinking of the holidays I remember seeing some pies in a jar.  So of course today when I should be cleaning off my dining room table of all things paper (craft & otherwise) I find my mind wandering towards the holidays and thinking of what gifts I will make to give.  Pies in a jar came to mind so I thought I would do a little surfing and see if I could find a recipe for "Pies in a Jar".  As quick as I could type in the words, up popped this website.  How easy was that.  Of course this also led me to the main link which I will have to absorb at a later date.  But just so I wouldn't forget, I thought I would blog about it.

Here's the link for Single Serving Pie in a Jar  and since there is a watermark on their pictures, I think it's okay to post one of their pictures - but which one!!?  Decided to share their uncooked pies so you'll visit their website and look at the baked one.  Makes sure to visit their home pageOur Best Bites .  Anyone want to have a pie exchange?

Things I'd Like to Do

Paint my fence gate  "Il giardino Segreto" -The Secret Garden
Paint the kids' old crib matress spring to use as a bulletin board using clothespins.
Set up my Etsy account so I can start selling my cards.
Make a necklace or bracelet using broken china see one of the Barn Lady websites for June 2010.
Crochet some necklaces with beads - quick and easy.
Read 1 book a week.
Reduce. Reduce. Reduce

Kelly Kilmer's Suggestions for Pens that Work on Acrylic as Quoted from her e-mail.

 "ALL of these pens will work on dried acrylic paint or dried gesso. I paint my pages (I use 140 lb wausau exact index cardstock in different sizes-I make my own journals by hand.) If the paint is on too thick, I swipe it down with paper towels or old rags. I put waxed paper between the pages as they dry. I use lots and lots of layers and "stuff" on my pages and don't have problems writing on them.

These are the pens that I use that WILL work on top of dried acrylic (I use Golden, Lascaux, to name a few favorite brands). I don't seal anything or use any kind of "Special" paint mixtures-only plain ol' acrylic paint some times mixed with gloss medium to make it last longer.

-Sharpie Poster Paint Pens-make sure they are WATER based and not the oil based ones. The only one I do NOT like is the big fat one that is about $7.  The nib is like a bingo marker. I love the white, black and pink especially-but I have all of the colors

- Faber Castell Pitt Pens (I like the brush stroke in black)
- Uniball Signo white gel pen
- Sakura Gelly Roll Glaze pens-GLOSS finish- also the slower your write the more 'embossed' your writing becomes (remember the white pen in the TEN pack is NOT white it is a resist pen for you to write and then 'paint' on top of it...however there is a NEW REAL white pen in the pack of six "new" colors...it DOES work though in the beginning it will look clear...when it starts to dry, it dries WHITE.)...

-Sakura "Souffle" pens-MATTE finish (LOVE their white)
- Copic markers (remember the lighter colors don't show up well on dried acrylic paint) also they fade over time as they were developed for "comic book art and animation' and things that are meant to be reproduced

- Zig writer pens-I like the bullet tip

- Pentel metallic brush markers (pigment based so you can also use them as ink for your stamps as well)
-Zig-their new Vellum writer pens
-India ink-i like waterproof, permanent ink
 The trick is, put your paint on thin if you don't want it be waiting for it to dry...if it's too thick, don't be afraid to swipe it down with paper towels or old rags. Remember waxed paper between pages while it dries!