First Fridays

On the first friday of each month, the city of Phoenix has an awesome event called First Fridays.  It started many years ago and has grown and become a very popular and fun thing to do!  There are now over 70 art galleries, venues and shops that participate.  I believe you can still get a current map at the Phoenix Art Museum and spend a pretty evening out. No matter what style of Art you prefer, you will be sure to find something you love and hopefully want to take home.  Many restuarants along the way for dinner or a glass of wine. 

This Friday, the 4th of May, my friends at The Eden Garden House are participating. They are a little off the normal routes, but well worth the visit. There shop is showcasing a new Photographer and will be from 6 to 8 ish.  There are many local artist at Eden Garden House, including hand cast stone sculptures for planting flowers or plants, paintings, jewelry and much more.  Focusing on Garden Inspired design. They are located on 7th ave, just north of Thomas, on the west side of the street. St Joseph Hospital is right across the street.  Hope to see you there!

The Cats Meow =^.^=

My cats have not been too happy with my new schedule.  They dont even see me off at the door anymore, or are waiting for me when I get home.  After I have been home for a bit, they are back to their normal selves.  When I came home the other day Pookie was sound asleep on the chair and could care less I was home, in fact seemed a little put out I woke him up.  Then this last weekend my friend Phyllis gave me a whole bunch of awesome fabric and I spent the whole day sorting all of my fabric, laces and trims.  Googars definetly was in the mood to help.  So I am organized and ready to start creating.   But, I love them like crazy still.       

Garden Inspired

Spring is such a nice time, although not lasting too long here in AZ.  I actually had to give in and turn the Air on last night for a few minutes to cool my place off a bit.  There is a short window of time where there are a lot of flowers blooming everywhere.  Unfortunately they dont make it much past June, but we enjoy them while we can. This last weekend was my daughters birthday and Easter, so we had lots of celebrating and having fun.  I made April this purse for her birthday.  She has been wanting me to make her one for a very long time.  It took longer than I planned, but doesnt it always. lol  But the important thing is she really likes it.  I think it looks better in person, not too happy with the photos.  Since I am now working full time plus some, I havent had too much time to create anything.  But tax season is about over and I look forward to my free time to get back into sewing.  My friends and I took a night out for some stress relief to paint ceramics at our local As You Wish Studio and I wanted to paint some flowers to remember the pretty ones I have in my containers for now.  Have a great week and take time to enjoy the flowers!!!   

Happy Easter =^.^=

I have had a temp job at a local CPA office and for a while I was working up to 3 jobs a day! lol  I have to tell you, I am much to old for 3 jobs a day. That ship has sailed.:)  So, I have been making a lot of changes over the last three weeks. I have left Target and I  started working full time at the Tax Goddess.  I am really happy to say that I am going to be staying on permanently. I think it will vary between part time and full time depending on the time of the year, but I enjoy working there so much.  Of course this time of year is full blown tax season, so its pretty busy and I am coming home so tired. Thats OK, but I am not getting much creating done. But all in good time. Things are falling into place very nicely.  So, I dont have much to share, but I made some cupcakes to take to work. Thats a little creative I guess.  I am looking forward to celebrating EAster this weekend with my Grandkids.  Its also my daughter and best friends birthday too.  I hope you have a great family celebration as well.  May you all get chocolate Easter Bunnies in your baskets!

Its Spring and New Beginnings

I had been working really hard making earrings. I know I had at least 50 new pairs and have taken them to the shops I am in. I totally forgot to take any pictures though! I forgot to take my necklaces though so I was able to get a few pictures of them.

This was a week of many good byes and the start of new beginnings.  My last day at Target was on Wednesday.  I will miss all of my friends very much, but already feel so much less stress.  I wont go into details and bore you, but lets just say, as frustrating as it is to call a call center, just know its not as easy of a job. :)  I have also been a member of Make Mine Pink for 6 years now and due to some health issues it will be closing down for a while.  I know this was an incredibly hard decision for Joyce to make, I will miss everyone so much. But her health and healing from her surgery is the most important thing to all of us.  But its weird, I have been going to Make Mine Pink everyday for years and these ladies have become very good friends, even as far as my friend Caroline in England. I know we will stay in touch and Joyce will be back stronger and better than ever. :)   I have spent the weekend spring cleaning and getting ready to start a new life Monday!!!  I am working temporarily at a CPA office and love it.  Awesome people and a great place to work.  I will be now be spending all of my extra hours getting my samples ready to show at a local quilt shop to teach.  I also hope to be spending some more time at Eden Garden House.

I  had a great time Saturday at Quilters Ranch in Tempe.  They were having an estate sale.  The owner had lost a very good friend who left her all of her sewing treasures.  There were sewing machines, sergers, patterns, books and more fabric than you can imagine.  I know all of the proceeds were going to cancer research.  I was able to find a few things I just could not leave behind.  I love Elenor Peace Bailey Dolls, so I was happy to find some of her patterns.

After the sale outdoors, I strolled inside the shop and found these fat quarters. The more I look at this fabric, the more I love it.  I need to get more.  These are my favorite colors and I love them when they are presented together. (Please forgive the wrinkles!)  Well, I hope you all have a great new spring week ahead.  I know I am looking forward to my new beginnings:)   

Briar Patch Market Place

I had the opportunity to join my friend Phyllis to do one of our local shows.  Briar Patch Marketplace is a show that is held all over the Phoenix area several times a year.  This is such an awesome show and has some of the best vendors and artist.  Jeannie has been holding this show for over 20 years and has a huge following.  This last weekend we were out in Chandler at Hamilton High School.  There are still a few shows on the spring calendar and they will be going back to Prescott in July (July 21 and 22).  This is a great place to visit in AZ in the summer.  It would be a great weekend trip to plan.  I really hope to be doing this show!
This is my sweet friend Phyllis, her work is just gorgeous and she is very talented.  She is know for using vintage chenille bedspreads and created adorable childrens items such as quilts, bibs, teddys, and lots of items for grown up girls too!

I thought I would share a few pictures from this weekend. These are pictures from Vera and Jeannie, the show coordinator.  Vera does an amazing job of merchandising. 

 
    AND... last but not least, here is a couple photos of my space:)

Eden Garden House

 Isnt this the cutes bird house!!!! ?

I would love to show you around a shop in Phoenix. Eden Garden House is a great shop and in a great location, in the art district.  I am really excited to be putting some of my newest creations in this shop. I will also be teaching some classes in the near future, so I will keep you posted here. Rosalind and her daughter, Morgan, have created a garden inspired place to showcase local artist.  The offer many services including interior design consultations and children workshops on saturdays. The kids have so much fun creating and painting their own pots and then learning how to take care of their plants.  I look forward to being able to share more on this great shop in the future.

This is a few of my new projects I have been working on. I have been getting so much done and it has been so much fun. I have been having so much fun with the paper shoes and I tried something new for a pillow.  I drew the bike on the fabric and then machine stitched it. Embellished with roses and handmade lace flowers and leaves.
 I hope you have a great spring~ish weekend!   Gail:)