MaryJo McGraw

For filling me in! I hope everyone that can, will, support the stamp shows all over the country and the stamp stores as well. We all need to keep the creativity going and boost those endorphin levels! If you are looking for a store or show near you just ask and I will find you one!

So after another busy weekend of catching up, making stuff and still not getting the house cleaned up I will be happy to go back to work and not think too much about all the things that need doing.....HA! I tried scanning a few things but I made them too big, tomorrow is another day.

PLEASE go to the Portland Heirloom show this weekend and support those folks on the road! Go to www.Heirloompro.com for info.The vendors would love to show you their latest stuff and we all need to get out and have some FUN!!!!!

Things have changed since I started blogging and I thought it was time to change a few things. I added my followers pics. Let me know what you think! Hey there... this weekend I am trying out the Diamond Tech Microwave Kiln. My first two pieces...not good... I will let you know how it goes.

OK this week we have StampClub at the downtown store on Monroe. Try to arrive between 5:30 -6pm. I hope everyone can come. Please bring all the Journals if you are in the exchange and of course INCHIES to trade. This months project is Watercolor Crayons so bring along a stamp that you would like to color in. I will bring everything else! Also coming up is my Inchie Card Class at Creative Element May 13th Tues 4-6 $20 Lots of other classes coming soon so keep an eye on my schedule. look to the right!

This week I am doing a lecture at the Monroe store Weds night for the Watercolor Society on using acrylic as Watercolor so this weekend I am preparing for that and the mixed media class at the end of the month as always lots to do. So hopefully some new photos soon too. Weather wise I am hoping for some warm rain to wash away the snow and bring in spring. No luck this weekend the temp is dropping but the sun is suppose to be out so I haqve my fingers crossed

Not March but maybe July! I would like to come for a visit!

Rosewater Hall 1180 Murphy Avenue • San Jose, CA 95131 (corner of Brokaw/Murphy and Oakland behind Carlos Goldstein's Mexican Restaurant.) Saturday Please everybody in the Bay Area go support these traveling vendors especially if you have not been to a show in a while.

Hey all you folks in the Bay Area I just found out that the show in San Jose has changed Venues suddenly. Rosewater Hall is the new place.!!!!!!!! More info to follow

since I posted anything and I guess it has been. Time does shift . Bookbinding went well and I think we will do it again maybe in the fall. Maybe a fabric journal. there are many classes coming up and Stamp Club is this week. If you would like to join us at the downtown location on this coming Weds feel free. I will be demoing resist techniques and you will get some hands on experience as well. Also Downtown.... (Spokane) We are remodeling so don't panic, I know it looks like we are boarded up but it is simply the start of the window replacement. For those of you around the country I will be making two appearances that I know of at Stampaway USA in August and at The Gary Burlin wholesale event in Oct. More info will follow as it is revealed to me. Oh if anyone out there is in the Spokane Riveridge Art Group I will be doing a talk on acrylic mediums at the monthly meeting call the store for details. Here is the latest photo of my grand puppy Juno

Bookbinding 2 day workshop at the Downtown Monroe store! five different books ( all small so don't be intimidated) Coptic, piano hinge, Japanese stab to name a few call the store for details 509-327-6622

Thought some of you might like this class! Small Table Top Sculpture WHERE---Creative Element Coeur d’Alene Id 210 w Sunset 667-0813 WHEN----Sat Jan 24th 10-3 $45. Give me a call or e-mail me back if want to join us. Daris 683-0376 We will be making a fun work of art that will fit on your table. Supplies for you to bring A tube of Liquid nails Acrylic paints, brushes Lots of found objects Some thing sturdy to be your base. Example, a candle holder, small flower pot, small broken lamp. The extras, Broken toys, old dolls to rip up paint or glue to. Things that have moving parts. Cool papers, tin cans with graphics. Also a few hand tools, pliers, cutters. Small amount of wire and string. Some type of tacky glue, quick dry. Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; it's about learning to dance in the rain.

Judikins has their BIG warehouse Sale this coming weekend January 17th. Call for info 310-515-1115 or check their website (Go down to my Links)for details! Oh and take some good rubber cutting scissors.

(JANUARY 21)and the schedule of new classes will be out. In the meantime we are having a sale on decorative paper and stamps 30% off the entire stock. We are planning a big remodel and are clearing things out to make way for NEW stuff hopefully from CHA and other sources so get downtown early for the best selection. Meanwhile the snow is melting and my roof has cleared. My driveway is still an ice rink.

OK all go check out fabulous jewelry artist (and cardmaker) pj dutton new blog. If this link doesn't work go down to my links section! Some of you have pj's vellum books from Design Originals. Her jewelry is incredible.

I hope everyone out there had a wonderful Christmas. I still have a few cards to send now for New Years, Ha. We had a bit more snow Christmas day and more to come I am sure but not that record snow we had last week. Yikes More on Copic Markers I have had a few requests for actual code numbers for the 12 pen colors I recommend so here goes BTW these are in the Sketch series but some may also be in the Ciao line black 100 cobalt blue B26 (BLUE) golden yellow Y17 cardinal R59 (blue red) nile blue BG45 ( aqua/ blue green) olive G99 chinese orange YR09 (bright orange) red violet RV19(Magenta/deep hot pink) Walnut E59 (rich umber brown) Iris B79 (deepblue purple) powder pink YR00 (pale peach) apple green G14 (bright yellow green) My choices vary according to what is avaliable at stores and shows,do not ridgedly adhere to these codes they are only suggestions. These are the same choices I would make in paints or any pigments if I was starting fresh. Also remember Copics blend better on coat...

....With snow over the last two days and I am stuck at home for 4 days straight which is a good thing since I have TONS to do. to put this into perspective the bird bath is standing on a stump that is about a foot high and the bird bath itself is 3 feet high!

Is not seeing all the friends I have made through the years all over the country! So CONNIE since you gave me a prompt....that helps me figure out which Connie you are....Thanks. I have that Dark side pin with me in the car pinned to my visor and you can laugh, right next to my St Francis holy card! I am hoping to do a few events this year but with the economy I have a feeling it may only be a couple. So stick with me here instead or come and visit me here for a weekend! My next weekend workshop is a two day bookbinding FEST February 22&23 in Spokane. More info this weekend. Say Hi Connie to everyone in the BAY area!

I have not written a thing for this long DANG! OK so I have been working alot and trying to get things together for Christmas. I got my tree up last weekend and I am still adding bits and pieces to it. I am working on samples and such for different events including my BOOKBINDING weekend in February and Stampaway 2009. Oh and my limited schedule for next year. It just snowed a little tonight should be gone by morning but I need some more wood in...so much to do.... Anyway, Our Spokane Stamp Club meets tomorrow night (WED)Dec 10th come on by if you are in the area it starts at 5:30pm I will be showing Twinkling H2O's amongst other things.