KC Willis Inspired Denim Jacket

 Mysterious Fairy Denim Jacket, Size 10 - Purchase Here

Sometimes you just have to sew.  An afternoon spent with the sewing machine, a fabulous image of a ginger haired fairy, vintage crochet, old shell buttons, blue tassels and beaded ribbon and a denim jacket... all inspired by the book, Creating With Fabric by Jill Haglund featuring one of my favorite artists - KC Willis.

I ran silk photo fabric through my inkjet printer to achieve a silky almost transparent image of the beautiful fairy with butterflies in her hair.  This gave her a mystical quality that all fairies possess.  I added the silver bird charm and used a base of vintage crochet for the collage.  I added sequined and embroidered ribbon just above the blue tassels at the bottom of the panel to ground the entire piece.

I added silk yarn and three white vintage shell buttons along the side of the fairy panel.

I printed out one of my favorite expressions on cotton twill fabric again ran through my inkjet printer and stitched it into place just below the image.

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious" Albert Einstein

 

I love this image and the final result ala KC Willis style.  You can sign up for one of KC's Collage Camp's online by visiting her at this link. 

Personal Touch to Gifting Workshop

The personal touch to gifting workshop - $20.00

This holiday year let's make it special come and join in the homespun fun. Learn how to craft adorable gift tags and cards adding that personal touch to each holiday gift wrapped package.

Create a beautiful bottle ornament that expresses your personal sentiment for the season. Encapsulate with LOVE!

Lovely handcrafted gift tags using vintage imagery are so wonderful attached to your Holiday packages!

Handcrafted vial tree ornament contains tiny fragments of the Holiday season with written sentiment.

During this fun workshop with Marcy you will put together 5-6 gift tags, a vial ornament and a holiday card.

Included in this workshop is materials to make additional tags, vials and cards once you get back home - how fun!!!

Charm Exchange Workshop

Join me for the latest workshop on November 6th & 13th to learn how to make 4-6 different charms for a charm bracelet in plenty of time to make more for gifts for the upcoming Holidays.


Bring a friend or have a girl's night out collaborating on the charms for your bracelets. It's guilt free fun! Who says that you can't have some fun making unique charms out of inexpensive materials that you will have laying around the house? It's the perfect way to upcycle, repurpose and reuse everyday objects in a fun creative way.


Let's break open a bottle of wine and charm one another.... tee hee, sorry I couldn't resist the pun.


We will be making charms like these......

If you aren't into charm bracelets - consider adding your handcrafted charms to a lampshade like Cris Peacock.....

Or add them to a tree branch for a fun suncatcher or wind chime....

We will use vintage buttons, pennies, bottle caps, puzzle pieces, vintage papers, fabric, beads, and the like to create fun charms to share.

As everyone learns to make the charms and the creative juices are flowing we will be hosting a charm exchange at the shoppe. A happy hour type of exchange where you will bring several of your charms of the same type (your personal favorite) to the exchange and then exchange them with the other gals and go home with a bag full of charms - how fun!

We'll provide the music, drinks, munchies to make this a fun evening out to meet other charming women.... I mean, girls always know how to make their own fun, right?

Garden Totem Workshop at GardenologyKC

The garden totem workshop at GardenologyKC was so much fun. The girls began bringing in their glass pieces for the class and I knew we were going to make some really great pieces with them.

The secret to totems is finding one or two pieces that you just love and adding a few additional elements that showcase your favorites.

The glass pieces used in the workshop were different in theme and color. So many people ask, "What is a garden totem"? It can be so many different things but basically it is a sculpture that can rest on the ground or be placed on a stake so that it can be seen above the flowers. We call it a totem because it resembles the traditional totem pole. It can be made of glass, metal, or a combination of the two.

Here are some of the creations from our most recent workshop.


This is Kelly with one of her creations made of antique bottles that her husband found and discarded due to chips, etc. Kelly put them to use as art for her garden in the workshop. Her totem was made entirely of found objects that her husband had given her from his collection.This totem is inverted with the bottle that the stake will slide into on top. I took this photo while it was in the drying stage.

This is the other garden totem that Kelly made during the workshop again using a cobalt blue bottle, but adding a globe with a figurine inside with marbles. It reminded us of a snowglobe. We attached the white glass vase for the garden stake to slide into in the garden.
The fruit jar in the photo was only used to stabilize the piece while it was in the drying stage. It was not part of the finished totem.

Logan made a totem out of green glass with a depression glass juice glass on top. I remember seeing these when I was a little girl. The totem is designed to rest on the ground.

Jessica built her totem using a bottle she had purchased on vacation featuring an ocean theme. She added a beautiful blue glass pitcher and votive on top for a tealight candle. Jessica's totem was also designed to sit on the ground.
A close up of Kelly's figurine inside the globe.
Close up of the beautiful cobalt blue bottle she used in the totem. I love this color!

Another angle of Jessica's totem in white and blue.

So many things appeal to me with this project it involves repurposing, sculpture, purchasing things from Goodwill and Salvation Army stores that help those in need and it's alot of fun to do.

I didn't get a good shot of Sandy's totem, but it was made of clear glass with different patterns that will catch the light in a marvelous way. Sandy's totem was made mostly of discarded glasses that she found at a local thrift shop and was over 2 feet tall when finished. Maybe Sandy will share a photo of her totem in her garden. >

Mosaic Stepping Stone Workshop

Recently, I taught my first mosaic stepping stone workshop at GardenologyKC. I have completed many mosaic lamps, frames, and stepping stones but had always had my Mosaic Artist extraordinaire, Marcy teach the classes.

With Marcy gone to Italy, and so many of you wanting to take the mosaic stepping stone workshop I decided to just dive in and teach one myself.

It was so much fun! I loved it and I had the most wonderfully talented group of girls for my first workshop. I'll let you be the judge when you see their completed stepping stones in this blog.
This is Logan and I apologize that this photo does not do her mosaic stepping stone justice. Sorry, Logan. Logan took a piece of floral china that had belonged to her Aunt, broke it into pieces and rearranged the plate in the center of her stepping stone as a focal point. She then added the buttery yellow pottery pieces to frame the plate. It was beautiful and reflected Logan's personality perfectly. She was pleased to be adding a tribute to her Aunt to her garden.

This is Jessica, Logan's daughter. They used the workshop as something they could do and share with one another.

Both of these women know their own mind, something that they share. Their approach to mosaicing their stepping stone was very different from one another. Logan thought about it a little while and then started putting her pieces in place on the stone.

Jessica, was very thoughtful, asked a few questions and then methodically began constructing her stepping stone carefully, one piece at a time. Her stepping stone was very complicated and I knew it would be difficult cutting and fitting the pieces but she seemed so self assured that I did nothing but encourage her. Her stepping stone was a beautiful mosaic piece for a first time mosaic project. Her love of puzzles was evident as she worked quietly.

The end result was a powerful statement piece with only two colors, buttery yellow and a bold red. The Buddha silhouette was clever, creative and completely different than the stepping stone that her mother put together which was very feminine with a lacy, nostalgic feel about it. Maybe a reflection of her Aunt.

This is Sandy's mosaic stepping stone in progress. Very strong with bold colors. Sandy does not shy away from color. Sunny yellow, blue, red, with Carpe Diem and Art Heals tiles, colorful flat backed marbles and bottle caps. It had a Jamaican feel about it. It reminded me of Summer. The blue flat back glass drops curving down the center seemed to represent the flow of life. It seems like a very happy stepping stone.

I say these women are strong indenpendent gals because they created three entirely different stepping stones from one another. Often when you take a workshop, your work can be influenced by the person working next to you. Not in this case. Even though they were encouraging one another their stones were one of a kind and reflected their personalities so well.

They all admitted to not having any idea what their stone would look like before they started putting it together in the workshop. It often works that way. You just have to jump in there and start, your creative nature will kick in and you will always surprise yourself.

Art is so personal and you can't help but allow your soul to become part of your creations.>

Leaf Casting by Deb

Look at these wonderful leaf castings that Deb made at home after taking our leaf casting workshop. Deb shared the technique with her Mom and they made lots of wonderful leaf castings together. Her Mom sold some of hers at a church bazarre recently.

Deb was so sweet to bring in her leaves to share with us at Gardenology. Aren't they great!!! She says that her friends have already selected the ones they would like to receive for the upcoming Holidays.



Deb recently took the beginning hypertufa workshop and I cannot wait to see what she brings in next!

Mosaic Birdbaths

Summer Mosaics

Over the Summer, we had alot of mosaic workshops taught by Marcy Lally. They were alot of fun and we love to get photos from our workshop participants of the mosaics they have completed on their own.

Terri Henderson drove over three hours to participate in our mosaic birdbath workshop and this is her birdbath in progress. I loved the "tea theme" and all of the roses!

Another participant, Susan Simmons from Leavenworth made this memorial birdbath in honor of her mother. It was my favorite birdbath as it meant so much to all of us. I soldered the photo of her mother for the birdbath. When Susan arrived for the workshop I was so surprised at how much she looks like her Mom. It was such a pleasure to be a part of this project.

After careful placement of the elements -

Time to "smoosh" the grout in!

This is one of the birdbaths that Terri Henderson made on her own.

Another one of Terri's Birdbaths.

I wish I had a finished photo of this birdbath because it was beautiful. It was a turqouise and brown swirl design. It had a great earthy quailty to it.

Decoupage Plate Workshop

Thursday, July 26th beginning at 10:30am until 12:30pm

Saturday, July 28th beginning at 10:30am until 12:30pm

Thursday, August 16th beginning at 10:30am until 12:30pm

Saturday, August 18th beginning at 10:30am until 12:30pm

Workshop Fee: $35.00

There is nothing more relaxing that creating art with decoupage. Nature is full of beautiful images; why not put them on a beautiful plate using decoupage techniques. If you have magazines on hand now is the time to tear out those pages with beautiful images of flowers, fairies, gates, etc.

Cut and paste the images and set them permanently on the clear glass plate. Perfect for gifts for the Holidays! The results are gorgeous!

Plate and supplies provided by Gardenology. If you would like to use photos have them copied at your local copy center for the workshop.

Mosaic Bird Bath Workshop

Thursday, July 12th beginning at 10:30 until approx. 1:30pm

Saturday, July 14th beginning at 10:30am until approx. 1:30pm



(Break for lunch to allow glue to dry before grout is applied.)



Workshop Fee: $95.00



Gardenology is now offering a mosaic bird bath workshop. You will love the size and manageability of this darling bird bath with a theme of your choice. Maybe you will choose horses, birds, flowers, tea, good luck, the sky is the limit on this one. Start gathering up memorabilia for a special gift or in honor of someone you love. Broken plates, buttons, shells, keys and trinkets add to the charm.



Bring latex or rubber gloves and wear clothing you don't mind getting dirty. The birdbath, glue an d grout are included in the workshop fee. Other decorative objects will be available for purchase at Gardenology.

Hand Painted Furniture

Thursday, August 2nd beginning at 10:30am until approx. 1:30pm

Saturday, August 4th beginning at 10:30am until approx. 1:30



Workshop Fee: $35.00



A whimsical piece of furniture seems to always look good in the garden. Now is your chance to paint that old chair or stool. Old painted chipped chairs work best; they are already lovingly worn and just need a little color revival in the name of fresh painted flora and fauna. Learn to paint pansies, daisies, butterflies, and lady bugs with simple easy to learn techniques. If you think your piece of furniture needs to be sanded or painted with a base color, please bring it to the workshop already painted. Acrylic paint and brushes will be provided by Gardenology.

Gypsy Garden Sign

Thursday, July 19th beginning at 10:30am until approx. 1:30pm
Saturday, July 21st beginning at 10:30am until approx. 1:30pm


A lunch break will be given to allow drying time for the project.


Workshop Fee: $55.00



Express yourself in this creative workshop where found objects come together to create a unique gypsy garden sign. The handcrafted wooden arrow provided by Gardenology will point the way towards new creative destinations. Wooden letters will be provided to personalize your sign. Think in terms of GARDEN, PARTY, WELCOME, or a CHILD'S NAME...


Some bottle caps will be provided but to make it more personalized it's best to start collecting your own now. This is a messy class, wear latex or rubber gloves to protect your hands and nails.


Again, this is a clean out your desk drawer kind of workshop, bring your bobbles and bangles and beads...

Mosaic Birdbaths at Gardenology

Gardenology is now offering Mosaic Birdbath workshops. Our workshops are 2 hours in length and are a fun way to learn the basics of mosaics with the added bonus of taking home a unique piece of art for your garden or a gift for a loved one. Workshops are small so that the instructor can give each attendee loads of hands on instruction.

We can also create a custom birdbath using your mosaic pieces such as china, charms, jewelry, buttons, marbles, etc.

We suggest thinking in themes when deciding what items to bring to the workshop for your mosaic birdbath. Theme possibilities might include ballet for the ballerina, tea for the tea lover, birds for your friendly birder, dogs and cats for the pet lover, etc. you get the idea that the options are endless. The birdbath featured in this blog has an Irish theme with a photo of grandma who is of Irish descent along with pieces of her china, buttons from clothing and a shiny horseshoe with a clover inset. Isn't it great fun?

Personalize your birdbath by using a cherished family photo of a parent, grandparent, child, etc. Just bring a photo copy or a computer generated laser print of the photo to our shoppe (2 inch x 2 inch in size) featuring a person or pet. Do not bring originals as they are just to precious to trim to size. We will make a soldered piece to incorporate into your birdbath. Again, themes like memorials, wedding, birthdays, new baby, anniversary, graduation, pets, etc. are great options.

Call our shoppe for more information and upcoming workshop dates. The mosaic birdbath classes are $85.00 and the custom birdbaths made by our mosaic artists start at $125.00 depending on complexity of design elements.

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Mosaic Workshop

Mosaic Workshop at Gardenology>

Garden Party

Linda Tamblyn, Terrarium Artist Extraordinaire

The Terrarium Workshops were so much fun as this photo of the Volante group holding their terrariums and flashing a little bling (an engagement ring!) acquired that morning reflects. Can you look at this photo without smiling?

What a cute vintage container rescued from an antique shoppe in the shape of a mushroom. Definitely, glass from the 70's!

This is Stephanie, a dear friend and fellow terrarium-o-phile with her vintage container with a fittonia tucked inside. The glass container was from the late 40's early 50's.

During our Garden Party Event we had so many surprises... It was so nice to see Grandmother, Daughter and Granddaughter/Grandson attend the party representing three generations. We had five different groups of three generations over the weekend.

I love it when we have gals of all ages in the shop. There is nothing more soothing to me than when ladies of all ages are interacting with one another. The memories from my childhood of my Aunts, cousins, great-aunts, grandmothers and various neighbors from the community would gather together for an ice cream social, quilting bee, wedding or other community event. I grew up in a small town in Southwest Missouri and all of those wonderful women were so familiar to me that they seemed like my extended family even though alot of them were only neighbors. Not only had most of these gals known me since I was born, but they had also known my parents since they were first born. When women of all ages are in the shop, talking, laughing, showing one another an item of interest, playing with babies, or sharing their latest gardening experience it brings back memories of those wonderful women from my past. Ethel, Eleanor, Beatrice, Mary, Gladys, Judy, Margaret, Mildred, Nora, Eula, Hannah, Pearl, and on and on....

I am so looking forward to next year's Garden Party in honor of Mother's Day.

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