One more post about Paper Cowgirls- I have to show you all the crafty goodness that was going on- that's the whole basis of art events like this- even though just like school- you remember as much about what happened outside of class as in class.
I signed up for the Altered Apron swap. My partner was the Queen of Crepe Paper Ann Denise Anderson. Not only did she make me a beautiful apron, but she use over the top packaging. The apron was packed in a cute vintage sewing box with these two pretties on top. One is a paper clay doll with bendable arm and legs and the other is a corsage.
This is the apron Ann Denise made for me- layers and layers of pink crochet doilies.
This bling studded flower was at the center of the apron.
One thing I noticed in Texas is how many women have clothes made from crocheted pieces- vests, sweaters and wraps that look like they were pieced from vintage runners or doilies. It's a really romantic look.
My birthday was the Monday after Paper Cowgirls, and Lisa gifted me with this wonderful collage. She had shown it on her blog, and I noticed that it had a woven background like the kind she taught in her Bird Song class.
Lisa also knows how much I love my dogs, so she searched high and low to find this vintage book about dogs.
The book is full of wonderful illustrations.
The first class I took was Jennifer Stewart's Once Upon Season. The basis of the project was garden edging- each piece decorated for a season. The class kit was packaged so cleverly. Inside, besides color pictures and instructions, were five paper bags, and each bag had the pieces that fit on that season's panel.
I followed the directions, made my first panel, and decided I liked the "low color" look, so I followed it on the rest of my panels.
The panel on the right is a Christmas card circa 1961 with a picture of baby me.
The garden edging fence is such a great idea- you could use it to show off school pictures, family portraits, vacation pictures- or just use stranger's pictures like I did.
My other class was Lisa Pace's Pieces of Time project. The shadow box was from Maya Road, and the background was pieces of an old quilt. Once again, I went with the neutral colors and added a Frozen Charlotte that Karla had given me.
One of the great things about taking a class like this is that you have all the materials right in front of you. I know when I create at home, I can spend more time looking for the tiny flower, right sized button or perfect trim than I actually do crafting.
Not having to spend time looking for materials allows you to just relax and enjoy the creative process.
If you're on the fence about going to an art event or taking a class, I'd really recommend you just go for it- the boost of creativity you get from crafting with other like minded people is priceless.