Holiday Tea

I had a great time teaching metal embossing for cards and gift tags at the Colorado Calligrapher's Guild Holiday Tea on Saturday. Snowflakes were the favored theme (maybe that's why we got snow the following day and more predicted for tonight!). Folks tried a little bit of everything with delightful results. For many, this was their first time doing embossing. Thanks to all the folks who joined us and brought tasty treats! And a special thankyou to class helpers Jill and Tess. Students' work:

Candle Wrap Decorations

In between all the writing this past week, I have been playing with metal embossing. The results are a family of candle wraps. Scroll down and enjoy-

"Nothing happens unless first a dream" -Carl Sandburg

As I have been writing my 50,000 word count book, in 30 days for NaNoWriMo, I have read back through a number of journals. The idea of a book hit my head 6 years ago when I lost my career job and had time on my hands. I asked myself, what am I going to do with my photos?

I first wrote an idea for the book, marrying my photos to stories, nearly 4 years ago. I started jotting down notes after that. Then two years ago I found myself doing some very short travel journal entires, with this book thing in mind.

A couple years ago Joannah Merriman told me about NaNoWriMo. This year I signed in an did it.

AS of today, I have a rough draft of my book written. There is still alot of editing, detail descriptions, photos to be picked and then the small matter of finding a publisher. But hey. It's a 50,000, 70-page start to a book.

In my book, it's a goal accomplished.

So today I get to celebrate. I also want to encourage all you creative folks out there to pursue your dreams. Pick a spot, and in the words of Twyla Tharp: "BEGIN!"

http://www.nanowrimo.org/

NaNoWriMo

That translates into National November Writing Month. I think I am close enough to be sure I am going to hit the goal...so I'm officially posting that I am participating an a challenge to write a 50,000 word book in one month. I am at 40, 900 words and I think I'll make it. The book is about some of my travel adventures and ties to my photos. It's just a rough draft, but hey, it's a start!

In honor of Ann

My friend Jill Berry is hosting a birthday give-away in honor of Ann's birthday. Follow the link to be entered in her drawing! She has all sorts of wonderful art/studio goodies tucked in special boxes!!!

Jill's blog giveaway

http://jillberrydesign.com/blog/2009/11/24/anns-birthday-giveaway-and-valley-ridge/

http://www.coloradocalligraphers.com/

December Class

ANNUAL HOLIDAY TEA

Saturday, December 5, 2009

1-4 p.m.

Denver Public Library

14th Ave. at Broadway

Denver, Colorado

Create a delightful, inexpensive greeting card and gift tag using pewter and color-coated metals. Join Colorado Calligraphy Guild Instructor Libby Rehm at the Colorado Calligraphers Guild Holiday Tea to learn how. Most materials provided. Supplies to bring: Xacto knife, bone folder, small cutting mat, metal ruler, sharp scissors. Optional supplies: Craft heat gun if you have one, favorite decorative accent papers/ribbon, small simple brass stencils(1.5” sq.). Materials fee: $10.00 payable to the instructor at time of class. RSVP to Tess Vonfeldt-Gross at 303-791-2701, or tgv9 (at) yahoo.com.

5 acre arts website

5 acre arts website

Time

I was writing in my journal this morning that I feel like I have finally gotten out of being "deadline oriented." This, from the pen of the Queen of Responsibility, Accountability, Goal Orientation and a 20 year publishing industry veteran. I don't want to be rushing around, a slave to my To Do list. I used to be "driven", but in reality I was driving people nuts with my I-gotta-get-this-done right-now checklist mode mentality/energy. I do want to be able to selectively apply that kind of drive to my art, but at a pace not a race. That's it maybe, pace myself in a world that is bent on going faster and faster, never stopping to relax and "be" in the moment. While I was on a road trip in NM recently (more in a later blog) I found that once I relaxed, I woke up thinking in pictures and art, not the To Do list. Maybe the greatest gift we can give ourselves as we set our clocks back, is a moment to sit in front of the fire and enjoy today, without a deadline in mind for anything. Let art and pictures fill our creative souls.

I came across this article and I thought I'd share the link with you:http://www.cnn.com/2009/OPINION/11/01/greene.technology.time/index.html

Embossed Pewter Journal

I am excited to be teaching an Embossed Pewter Journal class Saturday, September 12 in Denver for the Colorado Calligrapher's Guild. There are only few spaces left!

Here are the details:
Embossed Pewter Journal

Learn how to make a 26-page embossed pewter journal to contain your calligraphic alphabets

Metal embossing, or repujado is a luscious, eye-catching, art form with origins in Spain and France. It’s easy to learn and delivers stunning results, even for beginners. The class will use basic techniques and simple tools that anyone can master. This class will teach the basics of metal embossing while making a 4”x 4” ribbon-bound book. The book is designed to hold 26 pages, one page for each letter of the alphabet. The majority of supplies will be provided by instructor.
Instructor: Libby Rehm
Level: Every level welcome!
Time: Saturday, September 12, 2009 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Place: Central Christian Church, 3690 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80209