The Glue Guns were Smoking Again!

Well, smoking in the hot glue gun sense! 

Our inspiration this month was Emma's art! She has taken several art classes with Tricia Robinson. Check out her website. You will die with inspiration! These are just a couple of Emma's masterpieces.

A special thanks to Bebe for our sign this month!

Ashlee in her sombrero. We had a mexican fiesta! Ole!

I went through the old scrapbooking stash and pulled out several hundred things we could use.....not a dent, I tell ya....not a dent!

Ashlee had a few supplies on hand, too!

I gave a quick, non-formal tutorial on what the idea behind the art should be. Pretty much, paint your background before or after. 

Rip up your paper, stick your fingers in the gel medium and start sticking it down in your desired design. Oh, I did grab a piece of chalk to outline my design. 

This was an easy, not too much to think about project. Lots of laughter and Zac Efron talk going on!

Of course, the night isn't complete without the use of the glue gun! 

I love the use of book paper. If you have an old book, you can rip it up and make a piece of art!

 This was determined the winner in the end. She had no idea where she was going and it ended up really cool! Look for it in the last photo! I know you will love it, too!

I popped out 3. I've done this before and didn't have a plan, so I just started sticking paper down and wrapping twine and painting and glueing, Oh MY!

I think foam brushes are my favorite thing! Use them, toss them! 

No plan, just painting to see what would happen. I actually love the way it turned out!

 Our final masterpieces! Lori created one before she got there so that she could take the photos. She's so good at it! She used her silhouette. The possibilities with this are endless! She did make another while we were there. It's just felt good to get your hands dirty and create!

Stitching

I love to sew. I don't do it very often, but I love to make something! I went to Florence a couple of weeks ago and got to meet Natalie Chanin of Alabama Chanin. I have been inspired by her for so many years! I can remember reading about her and then about 6 months later finding a tshirt at Barney's in NYC on the sale rack! I didn't buy it....it was still out of my price range!! I was very impressed. One of my favorite facts about Alabama Chanin is that she lives and works out of Florence, Alabama! That is one of my favorite places. I follow her on Facebook and read her Journal religiously. I am dying to take a weekend workshop, but can't justify it right now. I am, however, going to a mini-workshop next weekend! It's on Saturday and I'm making a scarf!

Natalie had a workshop with Faythe Levine a few weeks ago and I was very excited to be there. I took Ashlee with me and we soaked in the Factory and the fabric.  I was a bit starstruck! To top it off, Butch Anthony was there! Seriously, in his overalls and straw hat. I thought I would DIE! I was surrounded by incredible artists that were from Alabama. It was very surreal. We met lots of very kind people and felt welcome the minute we walked in the door. There was yummy food and beverages and just a home feeling.

We went to the workshop the next day. It was how to grow your brand for the artist community. So many artists do not market themselves. It was a lesson on blogging and all that social media entails. So funny that I can do that for other people but not myself. Ashlee and I left on cloud nine....that is after we spent an hour touching every article of clothing there! It's all absolutely beautiful and very inspiring. I left with a kit to make a corset top.....almost finished! I'm putting it together as we speak. I LOVE it!!! Going back on Saturday for a 2 hour workshop. They are having an open house...If you are in the area or just want to do something fun this weekend....you need to go!