Paintings With Soul

        Go from a full sheet of pastel paper a homemade journal in a matter of hours, using some basic supplies like markers, inks, stencils, watercolor pencils, and masking tape.     I'll be leading fellow journalers through the steps at a class in Longwood, Florida (near Orlando) next Monday evening, February 25th. For more information,  contact Debbie , your hostess with the mostest, at The Craft Shack.   And for you locals who are excited about this idea, just hold tight - I'll offer the same class this fall in Rochester, Michigan.   Meanwhile my grownUP Journalers are meeting this Thursday evening from 6-8pm at the Orion Art Center. Being as February is the month of love, we'll be focused on journaling about our passions. Class is $15 and there's a little bit of mental homework to prepare - please  RSVP to me  and I'll get you started.   Have a great evening! Kim ks...

I belong to a book club of a different sort - in my book club, we make our own books. We get together every couple months to exchange our handwork and catch up with each other. Wine, chocolate and laughter are also swapped.   Our exchange is tonite at Casa Santini.   Being the five star procrastinator that I am, I made my books today.       Above are my pages in progress - large sheets of paper layered on both sides with color - monoprints, doodles, splashes, drips, etc - using paint, markers, glitter pens, watercolor pencils, ink, and whatever else I could get my hands on.   The style of book I made involved one paper per book - with a creative folding technique and several carefully placed snips with a scissors and viola - a book magically appears!     And here's the magic! Finished off with blanket stitching, vintage buttons and a snippet of gold ribbon - each page is a colorful little treasure waiting to inspire deep, philosophical th...