Upcoming classes! woohoo!

Hey peeps! I've finally gotten my act together and scheduled my next round of classes. Yay!! There are two needle felting classes, but one super cute class that's just all about "making a scene" with felted wool. Haha, making a scene... get it?!

Happy Home Felt Heartscape Hoop Class

Saturday, April 7, 2-5pm $35.00

In this class you will learn a whole bunch of embroidery skills while you "sketch" a Heartscape out of felted wool. Bring a sketch book and pencil, for we will be drawing out our thoughts before laying scissors to felt. You will go home with a completed art piece, ready to hang or gift!

Bring to class: sketchbook and pencil, and a pair of small, sharp scissors. Everything else you need is included in the class fee.

Back by popular demand...

Needle Felt and Beaded Heart Pendant Class

Sat, April 14, 2-5pm, $35.00

In this class you will learn basic 3-D needle felting skills while you create an irresistible heart pendant necklace. Bead sewing and embellishing techniques will be covered, as well as jewelry making finishing skills. Such a delightful class, the first time I taught this, the class sold out, and everyone went home thrilled with their new skills, and with what they created. Don't wait on signing up for this fun and unique class!

Bring to class: Needle felting foam mat and needle felting tools, and any jewelry tools you might have.

Super Cute Framed Felt Brooch Class

Saturday, April 28, 1-4, $35.00

Brighten up your day by pinning on this darling brooch! Learn basic needle felting, working and sketching with wool felt, and sharpen your embroidery skills. How can so much fun be packaged into this wee class?!

Bring to class: Sketch book and pencil, small pair of sharp scissors, needle felting mat and needle felting needles.

All classes are held at the fun and fabulous Paper Tales in Pt. Loma. Simply call over to sign up... 619-222-2510. Also, don't forget to bring the supplies you need on the class date. And remember, supplies can be purchased at Paper Tales the day of the class for a discount.

Let me know if you have any questions. I'm looking forward to seeing you at an upcoming class very soon!

x, Val

Etsy love: supporting the slow craft movement

I love this. This is why I keep my shop active on Etsy. It's why I shop for goods and (many) services on Etsy, and why I support other Etsy sellers. Etsy has done so much good for the Slow Craft movement, and in promoting a "support local craft" philosophy. In being associated with Etsy, I have been offered opportunities I wouldn't have received without this connection. My business has grown exponentially by being associated with Etsy.

So yeah, go Etsy!

Thank you, PromotionalCodes.net for this! I'm very happy to spread the word :o)

x, Val ...OR, as I'm known on Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/ValsArtStudio.

Sunny day love

Art journal piece created from The Art of Wild Abandonment class

I think, years from now, when I look back on today... on where I am in this part of my life, I will see myself as if I am in a great fog... a huge many months of June gloom*, just wistful and waiting for the sun to come out again. I thought I'd be able to regain balance quickly once Drew was safely ensconced in Az, with people who could help him come out from under the rock he's buried himself. On some days, the clouds part and I see a bit of sun, and my energy seems slightly restored. On these days, I press forward, and engage myself in my old way of being... I commit myself to tasks, and meet people I haven't seen in a while. Often, these activities take it out of me, and I seem to quickly retreat. Once again, I find myself back amongst the fog and gloom.

I am by nature a sunny day lover, always looking towards the future with hopefulness, goodness, and a calm peaceful spirit. Lately, life's pathway has taken me down a muddled, unsure road. I try to be patient with myself, and give myself time and space to heal. Seemingly, it's not happening on my timeframe. Uggh. I will it to happen, will the sun to return, will the grace of a peaceful heart back inside my being.

Won't you please, please hurry up?

I'm working on the soul of my garden, and planting it with Peace, Love, Grace, Truth and ... ummm, ....I'm willing the Joy to return. Won't you come back and join me, Miss Joy? Please? I will so welcome you back with open arms.

x, Val

*as they call June in coastal Southern California, when the inland desert heats up, and pulls the coolness of the ocean inward in the way of fog and low clouds. Depressing for me, but others love the cool, cloudy days.

Cutes on tour

Oh, my heck! will you look at these cutes! They have flown the coop, well, at least temporarily... Where have they gone? Maybe they are sailing the high seas? ... off to see far lands... maybe visiting a long lost relative... taking "the kids" (all of them!) to see ancient Egyptian ruins, or the shores of Borneo? Ooh, what a mystery!

I cannot tell you yet, but I will give you a tiny hint... They are on a big adventure! One that I will share with you very soon. So, stay tuned!

x, (super secret) Val

Tattooed baby

In IOP*, we have met amazing families, incredible parents, troubled teens and broken souls who have found their way back from the brink of addiction. Have I mentioned the word, "humble"? Yep, being involved with addicted teens brings that word into the limelight. In fact, healing usually cannot begin until the addict brings themselves to the place where they are humbled, and can ask for help. It is the first of many, many steps on the long road to recovery.

Among the many new friends we have made is the most adorable young couple, C+J, who were addicted teens, and are now sober, and recently married, now having their first beautiful baby together. Both share the love of tattoos, having many beautiful ones all over the body... and so how could I not... help the baby to have a few tattoos too?

Tattooed baby... needle felted tattoos... cozy-wooly-lovie warmth.... I am a smitten kitten....

C+J, with all the love in the world to you and your sweet son making his way into the world very soon... I know you will be the best parents, and will know what you need to do and NOT do in order to raise your baby boy to be the best he can be. You come with an amazing arsenal of tools in your belts. Know I am here to lend a hand if you ever need it. xxoo!

x, Val

*IOP= Intensive Outpatient Therapy. We are so blessed to have the help and support of our IOP family...

Re-balancing

It's a time of rebalancing and redirecting for me. It's been exactly one month since our 15 year old son, Drew, left for In Balance Ranch Academy, a program for troubled teens who have become addicted. Their program is about rebuilding the way the addicted teen thinks and lives his life, and includes work on the part of the addict's family. Greg and I have been working our own program here at home, including working with our younger son, Kyle, so he can understand the power drugs have had over his older brother. Mainly, we have spent the last month coming to grips with the disease that has attacked our family, shattered our lives, and broken our very souls. It has been completely humbling, and has brought us to our knees with grief and despair.

I share this with you because I have decided to stop hiding this part of my life from the world. In finding an amazing support group, I have learned to accept the things I cannot change, and instead of trying to control my life and my son's life, I am working on changing things that only I have control over.

This past weekend, I shared three powerful days filled with love and reflection with 11 other women, whose lives have also been devastated by this terrible disease. We stood together, united in spiritual growth, and held each other up, as women do. I was able to witness courage and growth that, through heartache, saw all of us climb to new levels of knowing from the pit of despair that addiction brought us to.

I didn't know what I needed, or what would fill the hole in my heart, but knew it was something BIG. These women were exactly what I have been searching for. Who would have ever known the disease that brought me to my knees, would also take me to the place I need to be, surrounded by the love and acceptance amazing families, soul seeking women, and of God. I don't really think I can thank Drew for that. Only God. But with that love and acceptance, I can give over to God that he has a plan for Drew too, and with this in mind, I can hope and pray, and trust...

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. I pray this today, and always.

With love and a peaceful, very courageous heart,

x, Val