dj pettitt - gentle whispering hues

finished book

This book has many of the techniques that I'll be teaching in Italy next May as well as Australia in April, 2012. I'll also be teaching a similar book near here in January. We won't be painting photos, but the rest of the book will be similar to this. The January 2011 class is in Jacksonville, Oregon at the Trolley Stop Antique Store, about 15 minutes from my home. I'll be teaching a small (10 max), 2 day workshop. I'm excited about teaching without having to travel. And, how fun to create at an antique store with loads of yummmy inspiration all around!

The book is much softer looking than it appears in the photos. It was dark and rainy this afternoon, so I used a flash. One day, I'm going to take the time to learn how to use one!

 

card and bookbag

The book I posted yesterday is on the way to its new home today, and I thought you might like to see it all dressed up and ready for the journey. I made the bookbag from upholstery fabric and embellished the flap with vintage yo-yos, lace, and an old button. The flower was created from a yo-yo and has a needle punched center.

I fused some fabric in the heat press this past weekend, and used a piece of it in the book, and another to make a card.

Here's the back. The spine is part of an old leather glove.

I stamped the blank section in the center of the card with some circles in a sage color, but thought of it after I had photographed it. It's already in the mail, but you can imagine them on the right of the page next to the swirly fabric.

card

I've recently fallen in love with needle felted flower centers. I've been making the petals out of vintage fabric. and felting the centers with different fibers.

Here are a couple more. I'm loving them on cards, but also plan to add them as embellishments on books.

I made this card more like a mini journal than a card, with 2 signatures sewn in.

update

I've had some setbacks with my health (nothing big, I'm just battling thyroid and adrenal fatigue, making me tired and unable to think clearly) and have decided that it's best to postpone online classes for a few months so I can get well. I feel badly, and know that so many were looking forward to it, but I just can't get it together right now. It will happen, I just need to get well first. In the mean time, I'll be opening my etsy site again, and will be offering books, prints, simple tutorials with kits, and other goodies as I'm able.

Below are some shots of a book I'm working on and will be offering for sale in the next few days. I haven't painted a face in about a year, and it felt good to begin again. It's not finished yet, but I thought I'd show you the progress so far. She'll be the cover of the book.

finished online class sample

Finished! I'm very happy with the way this turned out. Each signature wrap can actually be a cover if desired, and could have been bound as an individual book. The vintage pink beads didn't make it on... they'll have to wait for the next book. I opted for buttons instead.  I also ended up removing a couple signatures. I love big, heavy books, but this one outgrew the spine, so I removed two, and have a head start on the next book.

 

 

 

progress report for my online book class

I wanted to remind everyone interested in the online book class (or future online classes) to be sure you are signed up on my mailing list for updates and details. There's a link on the right. If you can't remember whether you have signed up or not, you can sign up again... you won't get duplicate newsletters.

I appreciate the enthusiasm and can't wait to get started! It looks like it will be October before I can get everything ready. I was hoping for September, but I want to make sure I have time to tend all the details as well as make sure I'm not battling technology like I did in the last class. I'll begin taking sign-ups around the end of August and will let you know exact details in a newsletter, blog posts, and on my site.

 

projects and summer fare

Lots going on here as I enjoy summer photo shoots, and working on projects for my class and vendor table at An Artful Journey.

class demo

The retreat is coming up in a few weeks, and although I wish I had more time for creating samples, I'm getting so excited to see everyone. I love this venue! One of the reasons it's such a great place is that the classrooms remain open and students can work all night if they like. I love checking in on the die-hards, and joining in on the laughter and fun of after-hours creativity. Here's a great, late night shot of Kelly and Leah, excited about Kelly finishing her book in my February class.

I'm working on some collage pieces for my vendor table at the retreat.

And for dinner last night....

My sweet husband does most of the cooking so I can get more work done, and is so patient when I see a food photo op, and dinner prep comes to an immediate halt while I run get my camera and tripod. Last night, I walked into the kitchen and he had fresh corn ready to cook, but when I saw the beautiful bubbles balancing on the corn silk, I had to move the pot to better lighting, and do a photo shoot before dinner could continue. What a patient man...

 

working on class samples

I'm getting excited about my class next month at An Artful Journey! We'll be altering and painting photos that have been printed on fabric, as well as learning other mixed media technique to incorporate into the book we'll work on throughout the retreat.

Here's an unfinished class sample that I started last night, using a photo of my niece who got married last week.

I'm driving the 6.5 hours instead of flying this time, which will be fabulous since I can stop for photo shoots, and I won't have to deal with all the hassles of flying. I'm planning on taking the coastal route back home and enjoying the drive for a few days instead of rushing home. There are so many beautiful places to photograph between here and Los Gatos, and I don't want to miss any. Well, I'm sure I can't hit them all, but I'll pack in as much as I can!

There are two spots open in my class, and it's the last time I'll be teaching other than online and internationally. I have exciting news about teaching in Australia again in April of 2012 that I will share soon!

Sweet English Sparrows near the garden

finished the little book

I made this book for one of our daughters. I thought she could add photos of the kids, as well as have them draw in it, and add special little notes, poems, and memories. I used Stonehenge paper for the pages which will work great for the kids to color or paint on. It's about 5 X 5.5 and about 4 inches deep. I left ample room between the signatures so it could hold lots of photos.

I've also been enjoying playing in Photoshop with some the apple blossom photos that I took a few weeks ago.

Need to add words and maybe a bee on this one.

And, I've spent the past several days working on a long over due face lift for my website. There's still one link that isn't working, but I will get it up as soon as I can. I added quite a few images and updated the links and info. I couldn't believe how long it had been since I updated. You can go take a look here!

Here's a peek at one of the photography pages. I had fun putting seven of these together in different color themes, and plan to add more as I have time.

painted photo

Painted photo that I'll use for the cover of a baby book. 

Here's the photo that I used:

 

and after painting it: