June 30, 2014

The Season of Abundance.














It is the rich season, the time of plenty, an overflowing bounty of blooms and berries.
It's the perfect growing time in the Pacific Northwest, where the rain still tumbles down 
every week or so, the sun shines through, and everything rejoices, grows and flourishes.

In my little garden the peas are stretching up their trellis, ever higher
they reach. The calendula shout their vibrant yellow-orange riot song, coming up
where ever they may, wanting to fill the garden world with their cheery blooms.
They remind me of one of my first gardens, a cottage cloaked in calendula
on a little alley in Eugene, it was so very long ago. 

The lavender wafts its sweet notes into the air, and the bees take note and visit each 
and every blossom, I try not to disturb their important work as I harvest
just enough for a bit of tea.

Berries are bountiful, harvesting once a day is not enough. The red raspberry
jewels drop to the ground, perhaps fortifying the ground critter friends,
perhaps just making a show of their royal abundance.
Some are devoured in desserts, others preserved for summer memories during winter,
others are given to neighbors whose fingers have passed their berry picking years.

It's hard to remember back to just a few months ago, when the ground was barren, 
all our flower friends hibernating just under the soil, waiting for the summer sun.
How fast and furious our flower friends fill into their spaces, and then overflow.
This is the season of abundance, this is the season of the bee dance,
the season of berries on everything, the season of uncontained growth,
this is Oregon's summer solstice celebration.

June 26, 2014

Book Arts Camp for Kids.






Looking for something for your wee ones to do this summer?
Look no more! Sign up for Art Adventures at OCAC, an amazing art camp for kids. 

I will be teaching Mixed Media, Book Arts, and Printmaking this year.
Above are examples of what the kids and I will be making in the Book Arts tent.
We will be learning to measure, score, cut, fold, and sew together a super selection
of beautiful books. Don't wait until it's too late, sign the kids up today!

June 24, 2014

Needle Felted Fox Class.




Last month I taught a friendly group of first time felters to make these little fox.
It is always such magic to see the transformation from balls of raw roving
to little creatures who all but come to life.

My next felting class will be Wednesday August 20th from 5-7:30 at Collage.
We will be creating happy little hens. Call the gals at Collage to register, 503.249.2190.