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The past few weeks were filled with all sorts of wonderful things. Mr-Four-Years-Old learned to ride his bike without training wheels. We said good bye to some of our favorite shoes. We enjoyed several rides through Texas farm country just for fun. Chris built a chin-up bar in the back yard so we can all have big muscles. I mended all the stuffed animals that have been waiting years. We helped a turtle across the road. And to top it all off, we saw a FULL double rainbow before school one morning.
It’s a happy life here.
Enjoy the weekend!
All photos from my Instagram feed (@bookbound)
November is totally booked. I’m so excited for all three events. I’d love to meet you so start making plans now and I’ll see you there!
FELIZ
November 2-4, 2012
Austin, TX
FELIZ is going to be such a fun art weekend. Amazing vendors, artists teaching workshops, and time to mingle. I will be at the party on Friday night and I will be teaching the Photo Accordion Book Workshop on Saturday. Purchase a spot and come make some holiday gifts for your loved ones. You can see all the details for the weekend over at FELIZ.
Pecan Harvest Festival
November 10, 2012
Caldwell, TX
I’m so happy to be part of the first-ever Harvest Festival at Royalty Pecan Farms. This outdoor event includes all sorts of things — a 5K fun run, their famous pecan pie, music, vendors, and more. I will be there all day selling handmade books and recent paintings. There will be something fun for everyone in the family. And the farm is breathtaking. You can see photos on their website.
Holiday Sale
November 15, 2012
Houston, TX
The tradition continues — come to my studio to buy a handmade book, eat some tasty treats, and hang out with friends. I’ll have a range of products available with something for every one on your holiday gift list. For the full details of this event, email me and I’ll put your name on the official e-vite.
Yesterday we had some new friends over for dinner. I failed in the mashed potato department (aka I forgot to buy potatoes and ended up using instant flakes *gag*).
But I made the most tasty, moist little pumpkin cakes in their own glass jars. Darling and delicious.
Now, I know it’s not earth shattering to cook tasty things in tiny jars — it’s all over Pinterest. Anyway, I felt awesome.
And I ate one for breakfast today.
Making pumpkin cake in a jar is easy.
Buy little 4 oz glass jars. I have 24 of these.
Make this pumpkin bars recipe I found via The Girl Who Ate Everything.
Grease the jars and fill them up 2/3 full. I used 20 jars and had a little batter left over.
Bake at 350 for 20-22 minutes.
Now it’s your turn! Give it a try.
June and July were my summer art workshops for kids. It reminded me how much I love teaching. So if anyone out there is dying for private art lessons, email me! I’ll teach any age 8 years and older.
PART ONE: Printmaking and Collage
The first workshop focused on composition and paper collage. We talked about the principles of design and composition and then practiced with rock, penny, and button collages on cardboard. The kids were so creative and learned the principles quickly. Then, the kids carved their own linoleum block and made a set of paper collages. Next, they used paint to stamp their linoleum cut onto the paper collage. Sadly, I don’t have any pics to prove it. This is one of my favorite projects. Making monoprints is so satisfying!
PART TWO: Painting
The other class I taught focused on color and painting. We looked at the works of Matisse and Mondrian. The kids completed two paintings. The first was in the style of Mondrian. They used masking tape to make a design on their canvas and then painted in the shapes. The second was a portrait in the style of Matisse. We talked about how to paint with the acrylic paint — I gave them a few pointers but really wanted them to experiment for themselves.
I can’t wait until next summer for more art camp! I will be teaching a few workshops this fall — more on that soon!
I am happy to announce I will be teaching a photo accordion book workshop in Austin in November. This is a great project for you folks who want to make some of your Christmas and Holiday gifts this year.
The workshop is part of FELIZ, an art weekend celebrating all things handmade. There will be a party, workshops, and an art sale. If you can find a way to make it, you should! You can check out all the details on the FELIZ website. This is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season and to support local artists.
I’m teaching an accordion bookmaking class. You already know I love teaching so grab a friend and buy a spot in my class. It’s going to be loads of fun.
Here are details:
Looking for a way to collect and arrange photos, gather tidbits of information, or let the kids doodle while you wait in line?
In this workshop you’ll learn how to make a basic accordion book perfect for filling your purse with instagram snapshots or sending out for last-minute gifts. After learning the basic technique using two endboards that pull apart to reveal accordion-like paper within, you will design and create a book of your own under the expert guidance of the instructor using high quality archival materials.
All materials are included. No previous bookbinding experience is necessary.
Date/Time:
Saturday, 11/3
9am-11am
Location:
Casa De Luz
Cielo North
1701 Toomey Road
Austin, TX 78704
Price:
$44 (which is a steal!)
Click here to purchase a spot
Hello! Remember me? It’s been a while since I blogged, but I’m back. I’ll be playing catch up around here for a bit — we had a fun summer with lots of adventures I will share.
First up: a baby shower.
In August, I was the lucky host of a baby shower for a friend — it’s her third baby, but first girl. Carrie doesn’t like people to make a fuss over her, but I told her we were going to have a party in her honor anyway and we hoped she’d come! Well, she did. It was so fun to celebrate with her.
I kept everything simple. I love having my home full of party guests!
The wreaths are boxwood wreaths I made with the boxwoods in our yard. The flowers are a mix of flowers and greens from my yard, the grocery store, and the flower shop. I’m hoping I get to be a floral designer in my next life. Aren’t those rice flowers awesome?
So many friends helped make yummy food. We had a little of everything from fresh bruschetta to lime melt away cookies. Lucky for me, there were cheesecakes leftover and I ate them (yes, more than one!) for breakfast the next morning.
Of course there are no pics of the night of the party because I get so busy chatting with my friends that I forget to take photos. Rest assured, we loaded up Carrie with plenty of pink and lots of bows. Congratulations, Carrie!
Almost daily, we rode our bikes around the neighborhood.
One time we rode our bikes in a parade.
Of course there were formal art classes.
And impromptu ones.
We liked to watch the sky in case we saw one of these.
Or one of these.
Storm clouds means you will soon see something like this.
We always plant a garden and sometimes fruits and veggies grow. Too bad we picked our watermelon early.
Cooper helped me plant the zinnia seeds. Now they are taller than he is.
We took walks. With backpacks.
And sometimes we even took naps on the kitchen floor.
Thank you, 2012, for such a fun summer.
We have been having the best summer. Field trips around town, multiple pool parties each week, and lots of play with time with friends.
We spent a few days in Colorado with my whole family. My mom and dad are about to move to Ghana for 18 months to serve as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I think what they are doing is amazing and full of faith. In the quiet moments, though, when I think of them being so far away, I feel sad for myself. But then, I remember what a courageous and good thing they are doing and I feel happy again. Talk about an emotional roller coaster! Anyway, this was our last hurrah, you could say. The cousins all had a lot of fun. It just felt so good to all be together.
One morning, my mom and I walked one of my favorite walks. It was such a beautiful morning. Sunshine, fresh air, and time with Mom.
All photos from my Instagram feed (@bookbound)
Father’s Day is soon! Lucky for you, I have Father’s Day Gift Card Holders stocked in the shop. Your dad will love this. Promise.
Gift Card Holders are 4″ square accordion books with a pocket inside — perfect for a gift card, money, or something else small/foldable. It comes with jute twine to tie it up and a to/from sticker.
I make each one by hand. You can buy them over at Book Bound Bindery. Local people can choose the “pick up” option and save on shipping.
When I first heard about the Renegade Craft Fair, I knew I wanted to sell there someday. Lucky for me, they started doing shows in Austin a couple of years ago. I’m so happy I got to participate.
We drove in the wee hours of the morning through lots of heavy fog.
Set up was quick and we met our booth partner, 3 Bears Studio (who was really fun to talk to throughout the day, by the way).
Thanks to all the friends who came to see me (you know who you are). I really appreciate the support! It was fun meeting other local artists and shop owners.
After we packed up, we ate a really greasy and delicious hamburger at Sandy’s.
It feels so good to work towards a goal and accomplish it. I could not have done any of this with out Chris. Thank you, Chris! He is my #1 fan and sponsor. AND a big thank you to our dear friends who took such good care of our boys while we were away. So kind. We love you guys!
So now, it’s back to real life. I love it. It’s slow and deadline free and full of sunshine.
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Copyright Sarah Nielsen 2005-2012. All photos are mine unless otherwise noted. Please use with permission.
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