Spectacular September

This is my favorite time of year for so many reasons. I love hot weather. But even I grow weary of sweating and roasting in my own juices like a rotisserie chicken. It's always exciting when the temperature mercifully drops and things like apple picking and fall festivals are on the calendar. We turned off the a/c and flung the windows open and have been enjoying the breeze around here. Last weekend I took my daughter and her best friend to the cutest darn orchard I've ever seen, Mills Apple Orchard in Marine, Illinois. 

We picked 18 lbs of scrumptious apples, half of which are now jarred up and living their newest life as spoon-licking-good applesauce. The recipe actually said apple butter, but since I'm eating it straight out of the jar, we're going to go with sauce. What really is the difference anyway? 

The next couple weekends are going to be super duper busy. Saturday and Sunday I'll be vending at the Green Tree Festival in Kirkwood. This show has oodles and oodles of fun stuff for the whole family. It will be my first year there and I'm pretty darned excited. The following weekend, I'll be at the Strange Folk festival in O'Fallon, IL. This indie-style festival is tons of fun and has all sorts of things to do in addition to crafts, snacks, and live music. Check out the website for the full list of goodies. I hope to see you there!

Mixed Media: Art Casserole

Lately, I've had an itch to scratch. That itch involves making big messes of the studio with paint, glitter, pastels, ink, gesso, paper, and glue. Everything but the kitchen sink. Layers, layers, layers, layers. Layers upon layers. Soooo, satisfying. I'll be framing these for Strange Folk where they'll make their debut. Maybe by then, all the dried paint and ink will have washed off. Maybe.

"Cream of the Crop", 5 x 7 on Gesso Board

"European Dream", 5 x7 on Gesso Board

"Graffiti Love", 5 x 5 on Canvas Board

"Fiesta Rose", 8 x 10 on Gesso Board

"Violet No. 1", 5x5 Canvas Board

Busy, Busy, Bee

So many exciting things have happened this week. It's been a total whirlwind! Earlier this week I got a "promotion" at Girls Guide to the Galaxy and am now the new Arts Editor. YAY! I'm so honored to be a part of this fantastic women's magazine! We have all sorts of neat-o events coming up in the very near future, be sure to stay tuned for details.

Today, I got an email letting me know my artist feature is live on Cafe Handmade. This is such a cool site that hosts a weekly virtual craft show. I'm thrilled beyond belief to be featured.

In addition to the totally awesome stuff happening I've also been feverishly crafting my butt off. Lots of new things are happening in the studio. I've added some toddler clothing with cute-as-hell appliqued animals, some new doggie toys, as well as making a bunch of jewelry. I've got lots more new stuff in queue for the big show at the end of the month, Big Ass Indie Arts & Crafts show at Mad Art Gallery. This is going to be a cool show. There will be live entertainment too! That same weekend I'll be representing my favorite craft store, Paste, at Soulard Farmer's Market with my pal Bobbi of DownZipper. I'll be at the Farmer's Market in Tower Grove Park on September 19th, then the next big show will be on September 26 & 27, the Strange Folk Festival in Illinois. It's going to be a huge bunch of fun with tons of artists from all over. I can't wait!

I'm feeling a little tired reading about all my big plans! In addition to all the fun in the studio, I have a wedding to attend and photograph for one of my dearest friends, Teri, a camping trip with the kiddo and a hotel overnight at the Crowne Plaza with my bff, Paula (I won a free night's stay last year and it's about to expire!). The day job is crazy busy with the fall semester rapidly approaching and I'm starting to wonder if I'm ever going to sleep again. Good thing I like coffee and there's nothing more I love than being busy.