Busy, busy, busy and loving it! As I announced in my previous post, I have been helping with the Krauser Kollar. I have to say, I really think it's going to revolutionize dog training for good! There is nothing like it. Be sure to stay tuned for more.

My collar covers had some exposure at one of the dog events I attended. It included a frisbie dog demo by the woman that we met at a Pet's Connect event 2 years ago. She already has one if our covers and it is her dog's photo I have been using on my display!

Working on a costume for a Shakespeare play has been on my to-do list for almost a year. What a pleasure and honor to be able to costume my friend's son as Oberon in A Midsummer Night's Dream! (Photos to follow)

Halloween is almost here... Yay!! It really should be all year. I have always wanted to surround myself with cool, macabre items. Skulls, spiderwebs, dark and beautiful things. Don't get me wrong. I am not saying I want my home to be dark or gloomy. I just enjoy a few pieces of elegant darkness, you know, for balance. I spent time at a local art event speaking to artists whose work excited me and fit the macabre label. I will be opening an online store for just this type if art. Michiana artists. Actually, I have collected quite an inventory from one artist already... How does Maudlin in Michiana sound as a name for the store? Please comment or email me.

Unbelieveable things are in the works for The Stitchworks! A dear friend who does dog rescue work recommended me to a mutual friend for some stitchery magic. The small contribution to his invention has become a working partnership and TONS of possibilities! I don't want to get too excited, nor share too much yet, but it is looking good so far. Look for some of my work at the Michiana Pet Expo this weekend in South Bend, IN!  ( http://www.z943radio.com/petexpo/ ) This could not come at a better time for me. The losses that I have had this year had taken a lot of my creativity away and made my brain a foggy mess. The brightness brought by opportunity has started to root and grow. t is beautiful.

Return to Making Art

New look, new outlook.

The gods seem to want me to return to my work in the arts. I'm ready! I have been looking deep into my heart to see what I really love... and it's dark in there. I mean things dark and macabre. You will start to see more of those things in my work from now on. Nothing has changed except that I am letting a part of me that has been hidden come out to play. I still prefer to live in the Light but Balance is required. The "Pain Series" of art quilts has been knocking on the back of my mind begging to be let out for over 2 years. It seems time to open that door. Paint, dye, thread-painting and wool are really exciting me lately so some of these may be creeping into my work in the near future. (Does it sound like some kind of multi-media art quilting may be in store?)

Halloween is just around the corner so much more of the dark and macabre will be in the media and with Etsy.com waging war on metaphysical shops, the time is right. If any of you, my dear readers, are creating art along these lines, please contact me. A co-op and online store is in the works for artists of our "style" with fantasy, macabre, magical and metaphysical works included. We have our first investor already!! Any help with website building would be appreciated.

Recently a dear friend requested that I make some pillows from clothing worn by a loved one who had passed on. Everyone was really touched and I felt honored to be able to help. Memorial pieces fit perfectly into my path working with those who are nearing the end of their days and with Spirit. If you have clothing or bedding that you associate with a departed loved one that you would like made into a special piece please send me an email or visit my Facebook page. Photo courtesy of  Kitty Cooney Hoye.