Two new classes!

I am always so excited to announce new classes! 

Coming up with a new class idea is kinda like a mini birthing experience for me. Cray, I know, but it's true. Often it takes me several revisions of a project to make sure it's suitable for a class project. It's normal for me to make up something that takes me an hour or two to create, but someone who is just learning needle felting may take many more hours to make the same item. So, I do put a lot of thought and considerations into developing a suitable class project.

This cute owl is Halloween and Thanksgiving mixed up into one. Also, the "boo" yarn writing is optional.

Then, there's this adorable Snow Friend Class. I'm still dying over those Leg Warmers! They just crack me up, and make me Happy Happy Happy every time I look at him!

To learn more about these classes, and what you need to do in order to sign up, please hop on over to my website by clicking here.

See you soon!

xx
Val

Whew! I survived August!

It was such a busy August that it went by in a big, huge blur! Oh my golly! I thought I would give you a quick recap of just the highlights....

1. The Oz Show was pretty quiet, as we actually had a RAINY DAY. Oh my! But, in between the sprinkles, we had lots of fun. 

I created a piece of art specifically for the show. It has been a big seller in my local shop since then! You can find it in my Etsy shop here.

2. First Thursdays at the Headquarters was a super fun event. The show organizers have decided to run the show monthly, I believe. I will not be there on the First Thurs in September, but expect to find me in the months leading up to year end!

3. Bright and early the next morning, my son, Kyle, and I took off for a day at Disneyland! Squeee!

THEN: (4 years old)

NOW: (16 years old)

My son has always been a big fan of the ladies! I was the only one in our group willing to wait with Kyle in the 30 minute line to meet the Princesses. My sister and nieces grumbled that it was a waste of time, but when we got in and talked "Princess talk" with them, we all had such a great time. Everyone later agreed it was the highlight of our day!

What a great Disneyland day!!!!!

4. I entered the GTS. Read more here. I did not make the short list. Oh well, but it's all good. I have a great new piece of art!

5. I taught the Fantastic Mr. Fox needle felting class, and we had SOOO much fun! Look at the cuties made by my students! Thanks to all who came, and put their best foot... err- fingers forward in learning my craft! 

6. Filming goes on for my e-course, Hello Felt, even as we had to say good bye to sweet Sophia, my intern of the past 1.5 years. She is off on a big adventure to Indonesia. My new intern, Jen, is going to help me pick up where Sophia and I left off. We are pressing on....! Find out more and sign up for the interest list by clicking here and scrolling down to the bottom of the page. Oh... and check out the Bloopers video. It's super cute!

7. We flew off to Lake Tahoe for a family vacation. We rented a cabin, took the Gondola up to Heavenly, spent lots of time hiking, went wading in the Lake, ate lots of good food, and made great family memories!

We hiked all the way into "Desolation Wilderness"! The hike out was long and uphill. Even though the way back was a mix of downhill and flats, we were absolutely dogggg tired by the end. Good thing our cabin had a sweet jacuzzi!

8. I wrapped up the end of the month with a FOUR DAY SHOW: the US Sand Sculpting Challenge and 3-D Art Show. Thanks to all of you who came out to see us.. Ok, see the Sand Sculptures (Lol) but see US too, right??!!

This one was my favorite. It stands about 10 feet tall:

Also, at the show, it was reinforced that my Plushies still manage to attract everyone; kids, their mother, brother, uncle and aunt to my booth. So, winning the most popularity contest are the ever-loving Toast, Teeth and Sushi pillows. Congratulations, guys!

9. And then, I had my BIRTHDAY on the very last day of the month. I am 55 now! Wow!

10. Finally, AND my biggest accomplishment this month: I am celebrating finishing working the Twelve Steps!!! I have been joined together with a beautiful group of women, who share a similar spiritual path as myself. We have been working the Spiritually based Al-Anon Twelve Steps since March. It has been hard, tearful, the best goodness possible, and life changing. What an amazing accomplishment! I highly recommend this for anyone facing life challenges who are feeling "stuck".

Wow! It's probably been the most action packed month of my life. But it's all good!! Most importantly: I survived it all, and came out all the better at the end of the month in so many ways.  =^_^=

xx

Val

Upcoming Classes + A Show!

Heck, yes! Finally... I've lined up several classes over the next couple of months at Paper Tales, so get your groove on and sign up now! Paper Tales is a place where you can meet like minded souls, learn all kinds of crafty things to make your heart sing, and find the cutest things on the planet. Paper Tales is the creative place, and a great place for classes!

Here's what you can find on the schedule now:

* Feb 20, Sunday 12:30-4:30: Mixed Media Art Journal class. Prepare your journal cover using a multitude of artistic techniques, and embellish your journal withinspirational images or words. Add a painted heartfelt scene, or a hand stitched element. All the techniques you will learn in this class can be applied to painting, scrapbooking, card making and more! More about this class here.

* March 12, Saturday, 12:30-4:30: Mixed Media Art Painting class. This class is similar to the Art Journal

class, but you will be creating a 6 x 6" painting on board. Painting instruction includes paint mixing and some color theory. Add ons (like the flowers you see here) can be purchased the day of the class at Paper Tales. Find out more about taking this class here.

* March 27, Sunday, 12:30-4:30: Needle Felted Russian Doll class. Learn to make one of these fabulous dolls by needle felting, a wonderful craft involving pushing barbed needles through loose wool. Then take your new skills home to finish making the other two. We will make the medium doll in this class, which measures 2 1/2" tall. Embellish your doll with colors or patterns you love. You will fall in love with this amazing and surprisingly easy craft. More here.

And then, a couple of classes where I'm trying to gage interest level. The Needle Felted Birdie Brooch class (by popular demand!). It's the best class for learning the flat needle felting technique. More here. **Please note, that link takes you to an old class date. Just let me know if you are interested in attending an upcoming class. You can leave a comment here on the blog, or email me at valsart@me.com.

New class! A laminated felted wool heart in any shape of your choosing. Embellishing techniques include beading, needle felting, embroidery, button sewing, wire wrapping... the sky's the limit. Turn your woolie creation into a pendant, a brooch, or a woolen wonderful to gift a heartfelt message to a special friend. Once I determine the interest level, I will figure out the cost for this class. The class will contain a kit with the basics. Add ons can be purchased at Paper Tales for a discounted price on the day of the class. Email me or leave a comment if you are interested in this class.

Then, I will be at the Talmadge Art Show at Liberty Station, which is coming up on Sunday, Feb. 27 from 10-4. Mark your calendar, and don't miss out on this great Art Fair!

A Note About Upcoming Needle Felting Classes

I love, love, love teaching needle felting classes, but have decided I can't quite fit it into my schedule this summer/fall. (That's the real reason why I haven't been into Paper Tales lately. I just know I'm going to get sucked into signing up to teach... and that's a good thing, and a favorite thing!). But, more than that, I have three major craft show events I've signed up for this fall (find out more at Upcoming Events - on the left column of the blog) , and one of them, Art Walk, is a 2 day event. I am really wondering about my level of sanity over here... with all this moving and relocating, and making adjustments due to our economic cutbacks... Will I actually be able to keep up with inventory demands of three shows, and four - yes, FOUR shops? (More about shop #4 later...)

So, if you are truly, madly, deeply, desperate to learn about needle felting (okay, yes, that's something that really happens!), then leave me a comment, or send me an email (valsart@me.com), and I will schedule a private class just for you, or you and one or two of your crafty friends. No worries! Everyone can and will learn everything they feel they need to know about needle felting, sewing, embroidery, felting, color mixing wool, and the best substrates for needle felting. Yes, we will! And, I will be back to the class teaching in 2011. I'm happy to put you on a notification list if you'd like, so just let me know!

-xx, Val