My La Calaca Print Exchange has arrived.

Guess what I got in the mail the other day? My selection from the La Calaca  International Print Exchange! In exchange for this linocut, I got a fantastic set of skeleton prints done by people from all over the world. This has been the second year that I've participated in this show and I've been really impressed with the quality of prints. If you would like to see a daily dose of printed skeletons you can "like" the La Calaca Press on Facebook. Very inspiring. 

This trio are my favourites from what was sent to me. The print techniques from left to right are: etching, linocut, and lithograph. What's your favourite?

Tea at the Little White House

Earlier in the summer I had done a blog post about exploring my new neighbourhood and  some of the things that I had found. I had written about a cute little cafe and store called the Little White House located in Fort Langely. When I write about someone I usually let them know as I always like it when someone does that for me. Cheryl the owner wrote back to me with a lovely thank you letter and an offer to come have some tea and treats. The other day I took her up on the offer and took my girls for a girly afternoon out. By the time we left we were very full and already planning our next visit to the White House. Now I must say "thank you" to the Little White House for the great hospitality.

Below are a few pictures of our time there.

Hmm...Self-sabatoge or a kick in the pants?

As I write this I can see the summer has just about ended. It's like someone has flipped a switch and the hot sunny days are gone again. The kids will be going to their new school and I'll have to get into a new routine. So far our move here has been really good and I've been so thrilled with how nice and welcoming people have been to us. The only real disappointment has been the job that I've had to take. I found another serving job but at the moment I make so little in tips that it's almost not worth mentioning so basically I make minimum wage. This fact does nothing to ease any nerves I have about starting a new life in our new home. And when I say nerves I mean my stomach which almost in constant pain lately.

  I will continue to try and get a new serving job but there really isn't that much out there right now. Well...not for someone who has over twenty years experience, doesn't fit into a size six mini-dress with cleavage, has some grey hair and a few wrinkles. *sigh*
This is when I wonder how I ended up in this predicament. I complain that serving doesn't let me use all the skills and talents I possess and then I end up with a serving job where I use even less of my skills and make nearly the smallest amount of money possible.

I'm trying to look for the positive in this and use it as my motivation to really get my art career going and paying for itself. It's always been scary to think about depending on my art abilities to pay the bills. Bills are constant and art freelancing is sporadic. I've tried bringing in money for so long now and I've mostly had to pay to use my talents but I deserve more than this. It's a test in resilience and patience, right?

How the Arts Alive! show went

It was a beautiful day for the Arts Alive! Festival and if you were able to stay in the shade it wasn't too hot. I went into this show trying not to think too much about sales and just focus on getting some local exposure. While the crowd wasn't huge it was pretty consistent and continued for almost the whole show. I'm happy to say that I broke even on this show and that's fantastic. I didn't sell any of my new cups and saucers or any of my silkscreened onesies even though I swear there is a baby boom about to happen in Langley.

Below are some pics from the day.

My booth set up with my newly sewn bunting.

Napkins, cups and saucers

I was next to Krazy Bob's Music Emporium and his funky VW

Krazy Bob creating LP art. He knew how to get the crowds. ; )

Getting ready for Arts Alive Festival 2012

I haven't been able to do an Illustration Friday  submission since before I've moved but I've been very busy doing other things. I don't do many art and craft shows during the year but I have been prepping for one that will be happening in my new hometown of Langley.

On August 18th part of downtown Langley will be closed to traffic and artists and musicians of all sorts will be selling their wares. I've never done this show but I want to start establishing myself as a local artist as soon as I can. What I do know, though, is that we've found Langley to be one of the most friendly places we've ever lived. Just about every time we've gone out somewhere someone has stopped to chat, give advice or help out. I think that bodes well for the show, don't you?

Below is a picture of some things I will be selling at the show. Some of the items might make it into my Etsy shop so stayed tuned. What's your favourite?

Lumi print system

Today I thought I would share something I saw via Kickstarter that made me say "I want one of those!".

Lumi is a company that creates printing kits that uses your own photography and the sun to create fantastic images onto fabric. 

I mustn't be the only person excited about this printing process because the company was able to generate over $260,000 while having only asked for $50,000 on Kickstarter. You must really go to the Kickstarter link and see the great video they did to explain their product.

Have any of you been able to snag a kit yet? How did you like the results? I think this might end up on my Christmas list this year.

It's a wedding day

Encaustic painting: Susan Najarian

 Today the family is going to a wedding. My brother-in-law is getting married and we're getting out our fancy duds to help celebrate the big event.  I really should be getting ready instead of writing this because there's still nail polish to put on and hair to do.

I was asked if I would be willing to create a cake topper for the wedding and while I've always wanted to make one, I thought that I wouldn't have enough time thanks to our recent move. I knew I would have to do a couple trial pieces and I didn't want to rush a keepsake like that. Instead I referred the bride to Mumer Fremo's shop who has some really cute one-of-a-kind cake toppers. Aren't these dogs fantastic?

I'm really eager to see the wedding cake that will hold the cake topper. As you may know I love cake decorating and I love seeing a well decorated cake in person. I've only done one wedding cake myself but I have full respect for people who can create such beauty out of butter, sugar and flour.

What do you think of this pretty little example of a cake? I've noticed fluffy flowers and ruffly icing is the current trend right now. Beautiful.

Source: Style me pretty

Wordless Wednesday

Pretty Little Thieves

Redy Ruby Rose

Mikellefler

Sea Urchin