pots on the fire

I have so many pots on the fire these days that I've forgotten to stir the blog one! So here we go...a big catch up:

Alfredo is doing great in school. He loves first grade and his teacher is wonderful. So much more is expected of him and he's feeling the pinch a little already.

Last night, he was near tears as he was telling me about a little boy, Lucas, who "has a calculator built into his brain" and could do math in his head. And when Alfredo said "I'm not good at math" I almost started crying too. Carefully, I talked to him about how much math he does know..."for instance," I said, "if I give you 2 pieces of pizza and then I give you 2 more, how many do you have?" And that darling little boy said, so seriously, "Wait...did I eat the first 2 pieces?!" We rolled on the floor laughing at that one! So cute.

I have two big projects that I'm super excited about. One is the 12-week online class over at Big Picture Classes. (Registration is open!)  The photo above is a detail of a really cute project that I'm finishing up. Each week, there will be a project with complete instructions and a video tutorial. Plus, there's a creativity exercise each week...and some bonus projects for holidays like Halloween. I have been working for months and months and months getting everything set for this class...and I am so excited to share it with you.

The other project I'm working on is BIG news! I can spill only a few beans about it...but mostly it's hush-hush. I'm working with Dimensions and designing embroidery samplers! They'll be out in the market next Spring...I'm so excited. I think that's all I can say for now. But, exciting, yes?

Also, super excited to be counted among the lucky people who signed up in time for Charlotte and Meleen's Vermont Getaway. I cannot wait to see my friends again...and meet new ones. So excited!

And, speaking of lucky...try not to hate on me too much when I tell you I also signed up in time to go here. My friend Lorraine convinced me that we'd make the cutest travelling pair to tour the Tuscan countryside. I still can't believe it's really happening.

Okay, so that's a lot of news, isn't it?

big wig

 

I am so excited about Chris March's line of foam wigs hitting Target this Halloween. Here's a sneak peek, posted on Target's blog.

 

 

I think I should dress as a cupcake and wear this wig! Fun!

 

(images: Target)

 

The Carver

The Carver is the second 3D framed piece going to Michigan in a couple of weeks!

Jumpin' Jack

Jumpin' Jack will make unsuspecting souls JUMP!  One of two framed 3D pieces headed to Ghoultide Gathering.

paper teacups

I'm making paper teacups using my friend Brenda Walton's Sizzix Die. So much fun! I'm just getting the hang of it...although quite a few of these are crooked. I have to make a bunch of them for a tea party my Bible study is hosting at church this month so I'll get a lot of practice.

Check out the tutorial Brenda created for Sizzix showing how to make these sweet paper teacups:

*SQUEALS*

I go into JoAnns to buy a new $1.67 stylus that I broke yesterday and I come out with $55 in goodies!  I was so happy to score the last Art Doll Quarterly magazine with Scott Smith's amazing piece on the cover and a nice article inside.  There's no one who can touch Scott's work.  He's in a folk art stratosphere by himself. 

 I'm pretty sure I let out a "No Way!" when hitting the checkout line and saw the Celebrate Halloween and Prims magazines.  Very honored to have my work featured in the Ghoultide Gathering article in Prims.  

Ok, I know I'm really getting old because I already bought the Celebrate Halloween magazine!  Good grief.  That's ok because it's a great issue with lots of cute ideas.  You have to love a good Halloween magazine :)

Time to get back to the art table!

Peekaboo Pumpkin

Get your fall baking on with this clever and cute pumpkin pound cake.  Recipe can be found at SHEKNOWS