Rest In Peace, Lonely Tree

In 2008, I blogged briefly about a leg of one of our road trips across the Western US and included a bit on "The Shoe Tree" in Middlegate, Nevada.

Us, on our second visit to the Middlegate Shoe Tree, in May 2008

Ron and I discovered this roadside oddity on October 10, 2004, the day before our first wedding anniversary.  We love the geography and geology of the Western States and take off down the road every chance we get.  On that day, we were driving "The Loneliest Road in America," the portion of  Highway 50 that roughly parallels the Pony Express Trail, from Silver Springs to Ely, stretching the width of Nevada.  Located in almost the EXACT middle of nowhere, we saw an unusually large cottonwood tree that seemed to be sprouting shoes between the leaves.  The Middlegate Shoe Tree (we researched it when we returned home) stood for many decades, the last three of which were spent covered in shoes, as a perfect example of roadside Ameria.

I was saddened to hear today, in a text from Ron, that vandals cut this landmark down in the middle of the night on December 30th.  I don't know what else to say, so I will leave you with Ron's comments.

Felled Shoe Tree - photo by Alan Skinner

This was one of my favorite things from all the travels my wife and I have done on the road in America. It simply captivated everyone who drove by it–they all invariably turned, stared, stopped, and came back to look and take a photo with it. I got to see it twice–once in fall and once in the spring. I even had friends do paintings of it which are on my office wall. I guess I should feel lucky to have seen it at all….

"Shoe Tree" 16x20" acrylic on canvas
Anniversary gift from Nicolas Caesar (10/2007)

Middlegate Shoe Tree 16x20" acrylic on Canvas by C!nder (Chris Cinder)
Commissioned for Ron's birthday in 2/2009

What purpose other than to be hateful and destructive does this serve? I’m sure these people will go on to commit other crimes against animals and children. The type of mind that conceives of taking this kind of action is the type that moves all to easily on to other acts of pure hate and destruction since they take pleasure in the pain of others.

Some will say it’s just a tree, but it meant a lot more to me as it stood tall and proud in the middle of nowhere on highway 50 providing an odd sense of joy and happiness for the thousands who had a chance to be in its presence over the past 30 years. Rest in peace, tree…

Middlegate Shoe Tree (photo by K. Sandvik - May 2008)

Middlegate Shoe Tree (photo by K. Sandvik - May 2008)

Middlegate Shoe Tree (photo by K. Sandvik - May 2008)

Middlegate Shoe Tree (photo by K. Sandvik - May 2008)

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LIVE on "Live Wire" Sacramento TONIGHT

Skelekitty and I will be appearing on Live Wire (Sacramento Comcast Channel 17 or streaming online) at 5pm tonight, Wednesday, October 21st with some of the chicas from the Scary-Art Collective!

We hope you'll tune in!

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New 2 U #3 - Moon Landing Patches

TRIBUTE, FLASHBACK & MINI-TUTORIAL

This really IS a blast from the past - it's even a post on a sewing project (I suppose I need to change the blog's name from "stitchery" to something more all-encompassing soon).

Art toilet seat by Christian Cinder, encircled by my
custom patches of his design

Custom Rocketship Patches for C!nder
Originally uploaded by Skelekitty (Krissi Sandvik)

Anyway, since today is the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, I thought I'd bring out the custom ROCKET SHIP PATCHES I did for my friend and fellow Scary-Art Collective member, C!nder a couple of years back.

I saw C!nder's painted toilet seats at the September 2007 "Functional Art" themed show at Body Tribe Fitness here in Midtown Sacramento. I really wanted one, but didn't have the scratch for it. I approached him with the idea of trading the seat for some custom-made iron on patches (he'd been nagging me to make some for ages) and he agreed! Oddly enough, he wanted patches of the rocket ship on the very toilet seat I'd chosen.

I gleefully scampered home with my new customized bathroom art and set about working on the patches. Once again using my favorite raw-edge applique method (which you'll want to refer to), I traced the outline of his art onto to some extra fusible medium backing paper I'd saved. Then I created some colorform-esque pieces out of some hand-dyed fabrics. I put the pieces onto a light box and drew on the details using fabric markers and a silver permanent marker (Sharpie or a similar brand of solvent-based ink or even a paint pen). When everything looked good, I assembled the pieces (including a backing piece of muslin to add some heft to the patch) onto a non-stick silicone craft sheet and tacked them in place with a hot iron.

Tracing of Cinder's rocketship on left; "coloform" version on right

patch on hooped water-soluble
stabilizer with stitched outline

Using a piece of extra heavy water soluble embroidery stabilizer (my brand of choice is Sulky Ultra Solvy), I stuck the patch down with just a little spritz of water. After everything dried, I put a narrow satin stitch around the edges.

The pen lines were traced over with some free-motion straight line stitching and some good ol' fashioned hand-embroidered french knots for the bolts.

I then went over the silver pen marks using a free-motion satin stitch with some high sheen light gray rayon thread (optional).

Final patch - BLAST OFF!

Finally, I finished up each patch by adding a layer of heavy fusible medium (for these I used Pellon's Wonder Under Heavy Duty) to the back since he wanted the patches to be iron-on. I saved this step for last so I didn't gum up my needle, than I just trimmed off the excess with a pair of scissors.

Voilá! A patch for him, a patch for his wife and two to give away to friends or whatever (if his kids didn't snatch 'em up first).

I hope you have fun with this little mini-tute and, as always, if you make a project of this, let me know and I'll post your photos on an upcoming blog. AND REMEMBER KIDS, ONLY MAKE PATCHES OF YOUR OWN ART! Never swipe someone else's images (unless, like me, you were asked to do so by the artist).

OK, end of lesson.

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Alice in Wonkaland - 2009

Alice in Wonkaland - 2009
Originally uploaded by Krissi Sandvik

During our travels, Ron and I stopped by the Spooky Lane Manse to visit with Traci (arteest & curator extrordinaire) and got a chance to preview the art submitted thus far for the Alice in Wonkaland show opening July 2nd (reception on July 18). Boy, is it going to be one unbelievable show:

An art show inspired by Alice in Wonderland and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, featuring the artistic talents of Randy Lane, Von Munster, Traci "Spooky" Lane, Nicolas Caesar, Temple Terkildsen, Cinder, Gus Fink, The Creep, MaS Design, Frankie Babylon, Airn LeBus, Norma Soluet, Tamara Wade, Krissi Sandvik (that would be me), Frankie Teardrop, Bax Turbine, Just Sam, Lupe Posada and many, many more talented artists.

Oh, and, appropriately, there will be CANDY GALORE (free, of course).

I have two pieces in this show: Painting The Roses Red ($140) and White Rabbit ($65). PSSST! Because I love you, I'll let you in on a little secret: if I have to ship them home after this show, the prices will be going up at least 50% - if you NEED a piece but can't make it to the show, contact Traci directly at spookylane1313@yahoo.com.

However, if you ARE on or near California's lovely central coast, please check out the show and the cafe (and get some free candy)
at
MUDDY WATERS CAFE
508 E Haley St.
SANTA BARBARA, CA
Reception: Saturday, July 18 @7pm
art on exhibit through the month of July

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Did I Mention...

that I actually finished "Painting The Roses Red" some time ago?



This highly detailed mixed-media work will be in the second annual "Alice in Wonkaland" art show at Muddy Waters Cafe in Santa Barbara starting on July 1st (curated by the lovely and talented Miss Traci "Spooky" Lane). It is is 12"wide x 24" high on birch wood and $140 will send this baby home with you for keeps.

Here are some of the details that are difficult to capture in photos (clicky click each pic for a super close-up look):

Cheshire Cat:


Twinkle Twinkle Little Bat...


Cards and key:


Lawn:


My favorite bit:


and again (drip...).


If you are in or near Santa Barbara, I hope you'll drop by this show as it promises to be the host of some pretty darned incredible Alice, Willie and hybrid pieces of art.

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You KNOW You Do It Too

A week back I posted a contest asking folks to post about how they break the rules in their artwork and crafts.  For the original post (and to enter) - clicky click right here.

A few people seem to think they're not qualified to enter.  I think they are dead wrong.  Therefore, I've decided two things today:

1. I'm expanding the scope of the contest from just art to ALL creative endeavors
   which brings us to:
   
2. I'm extending the deadline until Thursday night,
   so be sure to post a comment here or on the original post before I log in on Friday "morning" and you'll be entered to win a set of my new Loteria note cards - oh, and by then, I believe there will be two new additions to the set (angel & devil, of course!).  The winner will receive 6 cards of their choosing to be hand-embellished by yours truly.  Yes, you may mix/match or get 6 of the same design.  If you win, you call the shots.
   

This scope creep (thank you project management speak) occurred after I read a blog post by Bill Shafer, owner of Hyaena Gallery in Burbank.  A few readers missed the point of the post, thinking he was success-bashing or saying that big-name artists all suck.  On the contrary, Bill's well thought out and eloquent point was simply that, "you shouldn’t like something only because everyone you know likes it. Decide your own tastes [whether or not it's popular]..." (be sure to read the post for yourself too - don't take my word for it).  Which made me realize that my question should also encompass things like "I started a gallery so I could carry art that the mainstream hates, but that I love" or "I homeschool my kids" or "I'm a practicing atheist living in the Bible belt" et cetera. 

Now that you and I both have a broader view, I will ask again, "HOW DO YOU BREAK THE RULES?"  Even if you don't want the cards (you can pass them on to the next person in 'the hat,') I strongly encourage you to post for the benefit of your fellow creative types. 

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Tutorial: Matchbox Artists' Lofts

I am STILL in DaVinci Mode!

Update for yesterday (4/17 - day 3): I planned a garage sale with my hubby! Woo hoo! Today (day 4), I am creating a tutorial for you wonderful folks.

Many moons ago (just over a year, I think), the mixed-media group to which I belong posed a challenge for us to create our fantasy "neighborhood." While a lot of the other artists added things like bakeries and bookstores (good stuff, to be sure), I decided I'd create a single building containing "artists' lofts" so I could live near all of my creative friends!


L to R/top to bottom: art by Sam Marie Grove, Krissi Sandvik (Skelekitty), Nicolas Caesar and Christian Cinder

Tools and Materials:

• "YES" paste or bookbinding glue*
  
• 32 count matchboxes (21) - I get mine at the Dollar Store/Dollar Tree, etc.
  
• corrugated cardboard scrap
  
• paints
• Golden Acrylic Medium: Molding Paste (either regular or hard is fine)
• artist spatula
• photos/ephemera** for inside "windows and doors"
• varnish or glaze - like Crafty Chica Glossy Gloss varnish

Directions:

1. With 9 of the matchboxes, separate the drawers from covers, and determine the interior dimensions.
   
   
2. Using your computer, if necessary, resize, print out and trim to size 8 scenes for the interior of each room.
   **IMPORTANT NOTE ON COPYRIGHTS: Be certain that any images you use are copyright free or that you have permission from the artist(s) to use them. Just because you paid for an image, it does not mean you have the right to legally use it! Most craft supplies are OK, but some, like rubber stamps and printed images may still be covered by copyright protection (i.e., you may not have the legal right to sell work containing those images - my Skelekitty stamps are an example of such images). It would also be copyright infringement to create a print for personal use of someone else's work. It is your responsibility to determine if the images you use are under copyright protection. and most artists are willing to license their work, or will work with you to allow certain uses, so be sure to ask before you use them!
   The piece I have here was created for my own amusement and I informed each of the artists what I was making and that it would not be for sale.
   
   
3. Glue* 8 images into matchbox drawers. Embellish now (or later is OK too!). *you can use white craft glue or glue stick if you don't have YES Paste, etc. Paste and bookbinding glue wrinkle your paper less, so they're a great investment!
   Glue an image of a door or paint one inside the 9th matchbox drawer and let everything dry.
   
   Photo of door by Ann Pohlers.
   
   
4. Cut open 8 of the matchbox covers' (along one of the folds) as shown here and paint doors and/or windows on the flap (I did mine to match up with the personalities of the artists "living" inside:
   
   L to R/top to bottom: art by Yoli Manzo, Alisa Abrenica and Mark Fox. That "empty" apartment will have Char Hall's T-Rex living in it soon.
   I made my windows "shiny" with several coats of glossy varnish!
   
   
5. Glue the outside of the 8 matchboxes (doors/windows) to the back /side of the 8 'drawers' (room scenes). Let them dry well! You may wish to use binder clips to hold the sides while these dry.
   
   
6. Start assembling your building! Here you can use E6000 glue or another hard core craft glue to keep things from falling apart while you build. Here's how I put mine together:
   
   Two matchboxes high, one matchbox wide (front/back) and four matchboxes long (sides) with one stuck in the middle (interior) for structural support.
   Add triangles made from scrap cardstock or cardboard for your roof gables (or you can make a flat roof).
   
   Kepi is the bat in my belfry.
   LET EVERYTHING DRY WELL!
   
   
7. Now for the fun! Open up your jar of molding paste and, using your spatula, "plaster" the exterior walls of the building! When I created my set of artists' lofts, I used gel medium (regular), but realized later that molding paste would work WAY better (and you don't necessarily have to paint it!). Another idea for thatched, cracked or textured plaster looks: use Golden Fiber Paste, Crackle Paste or Course Molding Paste! Let your acrylic "plaster" dry well - usually overnight or more is best, depending on temp/humidity.
   
   
8. Paint exterior of your building, if desired.
   
   
9. Make your roof - I made a 'Spanish tiled' roof by peeling off one of the paper layers from a piece of corrugated cardboard and painting it brick red.
   
   Seriously. That's all. Fold your "roof" down the middle and glue onto the top of your "gables."
   
   

Now just sit back and be amused with yourself! Anyone want to make one out of 250 count matchboxes???
*
View ALL DaVinci Mode Challenge posts.

 * 

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Art Journaling With A Sense of Humor

Another journal page in my 3 Week Challenge to "say yes to the possibility of success."  This one explores the fear of not being considered a "real" artist because 1) I have no formal art training and/or 2) I'm not pissed off all of the time.


Along with the underlying fear, there is definitely a holier-than-thou attitude in this piece.  This page was inspired by a "real" artist who terrorized my friends at an art show in March (I was off being a not-real-artist on the Crafty Chica cruise!).

"White Walls, White Lines"by Nicolas Caesar
3-10-2008 (scary-art.com)

We met this guy Saturday. He flipped all of us off. Well, he also flipped off lamps, walls, screamed and shouted at the air and really did strangely attract snobby patrons. We couldn't tell if he was coked out, crazy or just entertaining. Either way he was this week's muse. And his art REALLY is about birds and pink floyd.

On a side note when women have plastic surgery and age they start looking more and more like my art. Just that creepy Jack-O-Lantern grin. I think that's cool. 

Oddly enough, I can't seem to find a bio or portfolio of his crazy ass anywhere on the interwebs.  Hmmmm...  Oh well.

I have a fun idea for a new piece so I'm off to work it out.

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Whew! This One's a RAMBLER! (UPDATED 11/8)

There's a new group in town made up of some familiar names in the outsider art community. Sacramento Art Connects is holding their first show, "You Call That ART?" at Side Show Studios in November. Luckily, the deadline for submissions was extended from the 17th to the 31st -HINT HINT creative types- so I finished a small mixed-media / beeswax collage piece last night and dropped it off at Side Show Studios today for judging (eep!). Yep, it's a juried show (my first, hence the "eep!"). I got a peek at the collection in "the back room" and it's pretty dangded awesome. Bitchin' even. Perhaps ... dare I say it? Tubular.

Damn. I'm feeling my age today. Anyway, Steadfast is a 7x7" mixed-media/beeswax collage ($40) - thanks to Side Show's co-owner and all around awesome chick, Cy Wylie, for the title! Wish me well and hope that it doesn't get kicked out with a post-it note stuck to the back that says "you suck!" LOL.

Update 1: Great news - Steadfast made it into the show! It will be available starting tonight at Side Show Studios (5635 Freeport, Sactown) tonight at 6pm - under $50 too!

I also heard while I was there that my mixed-media piece, Something Fishy sold. Several people had shown interest and the price was good, but I thought Char was pulling my leg when she said who bought it - Chi Cheng, the bass player for the Deftones.

Char: Chi bought one of your pieces
me: who?

Char: Chi

me: WHO?

Char: Chi. From the Deftones. You know, Chi.

me: uhhhhhhmmmm. oh.

Now I've never actually met Chi, but it's damn near impossible to live in Sacramento, work out at Body Tribe and show with the Scary Art Collective without at least knowing who he is (and hearing the rampant rumors about what a nice guy he is too). I knew immediately who Char was talking about. However, I also know a lot of the people whose art he collects and my brain just couldn't reconcile the spot on the wall where the pretty mermaid with the funny fish had been and my recollection of the art I knew Chi has collected. It all became clear when Cy added more information. It was actually his lovely red-haired wife, Colleen, who chose the piece since she didn't have any art in the house that represented her taste.

me: OOHHHHHHH! NOW I get it! (chuckles).

It makes me happy, 'cause I really liked that piece - especially the hair, the tail and, of course, that awesome little fishie.

Update 2: Very, very sad news - Chi was in an auto accident last week and is reported to be in a coma in critical though stable condition. No more news is available at this time, but keek Chi, Colleen and their families in your thoughts and send strength and good thoughts to them through the cosmos. They need it.



The first order of Skelekitty stamps has been placed by me for resale (fortunately, I have a resale permit for just such an occasion). Yep. I took a break from this blog and typed my wholesale order up and sent it on its merry little way. Soon (I hope!) I will have 40 individual stamps in my little paws for y'all. I'm getting this batch for local folks mostly - to sell at shows in Sacramento, etc. - and, of course, I'll be putting some on etsy. The first batch will probably go pretty quickly, but I'll be putting the profits right back into another order ... then Tee shirts I hope!

For those on a budget, I have a super easy "no purchase necessary" drawing planned to give away one of the stamps (maybe two). I'll announce it here and on Skelekitty's blog, and I'll give at least a week for everyone to participate so you won't miss it. I'm also working on an original piece of art featuring the soon-to-be-famouser-than-me (like that's tough) kitty to give away in a separate drawing. That drawing will be for folks who have made stuff with their stamps. More info on the contests later - you know, when I actually have the little puppies kitties in my hands!



Another cool thing happened today - Allyson Seconds offered to donate some mirrors for a Scary CRAFT fundraiser. Yoli and I will definitely be participating by decorating a mirror a piece and donating them to the auction. We'll be passing mirrors out to some local creatives too. We'll be auctioning off the mirrors in a manner similar to the Scary-Art doll auction last year, starting each piece at an affordable price. It's a great way to help support Scary CRAFT and to fulfill your pledge to BUY HANDMADE (I know you took it, right? Right?.


So it's been a busy week already and Tuesday is just barely coming to a close. It's been a good week though. I hope your week brings you good news and smiles too.

xo

K

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October, not April, is the cruellest month!

It's that crazy time of year again for me:

• Wedding anniversary (10/11 - it's my 5th, this year)
• Fall vacation time (10/4 - 10/10)
  
• October Second Saturday shows with the Scary-Art Collective (10/11)
• Jury duty??- thankfully postponed to December... WHEW!
  
• Halloween
• Dia de los Muertos
• OH, and this year we get to add the release of Skelekitty's first round of rubber stamps!
  

Somehow this busiest of months sneaks up on me every year.... Because of the state of the economy, gas prices, etc., I am not vending at the Dia de los Muertos Fest-o-Rama in Oaktown this year. Maybe next year -- assuming someone is voted into the White House who has an interest in eliminating the deficit and creating jobs here in the u.s. of a. I will, however, be creating as if I were vending... As a result, there will be much art to be had (and some that have already found homes) at both Body Tribe and Side Show Studios starting on October 11th. I'll also be putting a few new items up here and there in my etsy shop.

I've created some new stuff in a range of sizes and prices (see comment on economy above - Dude! I'm on your side). Here's a sneak peak at a few items:

"Frida" silver shrine


"Catrina" shrine


In progress: "Letter from Diego" shrine



And even more shrines are in the works! I will also have a few larger pieces of original work available between the two locations, including:

currently untitled 12"x24" mixed media on wood


"Tijuana Makeover" 12"x24" mixed media on wood (this one's still in progress)


"Star F*cker" 16"x11" mixed-media on canvas - available on Etsy through tomorrow


"The Catalyst" 16"x11" mixed media on canvas- available on Etsy through tomorrow




Thanks to the generosity of Ron and Nik, my go team Venture pieces, "Walking Eye" and "Grand Galactic Inquisitor" (finally completed today) will be on display at Side Show and Body Tribe, respectively.

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"This is ME expressing MYself!"

I went to my hubby's office yesterday to hang his newly commissioned walking eye! painting (along with a Skelekitty quilt that he has on loan until October).




I have to tell you just how fun it was to walk past all the security cameras into a Fortune 500 company with my pink hair, covered in paint, wearing my overalls and carrying more weird art for his office (he's a Director, too!). How fun? Too fun.

I also hung an "ElderBot" (complete with glow-in-the-dark paint) painting by C!nder that Ron's had for a while:


This is the piece by Nicolas Caesar that started it all:


Oddly enough, immediately following Ron's acquisition of this remarkable painting, a memo went out that all art hung in offices needed to be "professional." Our answer: we ARE professionals. Lucky for him (and me too, since his income buys the kitty (and Krissi) kibble), we have different last names, so I don't get him into too much trouble just by being me.

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Scary CRAFT's Night of the Crafters approacheth...

It's just over a week away - find out what's up for Sacramento's original craft night this month!

Scary CRAFT: August Craft Night - Little Black Hats & More!

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My Return To Sactown's 2nd Saturday Art Walk

I've been getting a lot of questions that go like this, "where were you on second Saturday?" and "are you still showing in galleries?" Quick answers: vacation/home/sick and yes.

I have to admit, I've enjoyed the time "off" from the gallery deadlines since April and spent it (minus a month) creating and learning. For the most part, it's been a nice little retreat, but it's time to get my creations back out there, if for no other reason than I'm running out of space in my studio!

So get out to the Midtown Grid and peruse K Street this Saturday evening. Drop in on the Scary-Art gang and friends at Grind & Groove, then scoot across the street to Kevin and Allyson Seconds' newly re-opened True Love Coffeehouse (now upstairs).

No previews of my stuff for you cheeky little monkeys, though! You'll have to show up on Saturday (or wait for the post-show pictures). I will tell you that it's mostly mixed media & collage for this show, and all but one piece are available for the very first time!

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Yes, Virginia, There IS A Craft Night!

Fear not, fellow craftistas! We will be crafting with abandon tomorrow (Tuesday) evening from 6-ish to 9-ish at Side Show Studios!

Your lovely hostesses have decided to forego the challenge and the tutorial portions of our program, and have cleared the entire evening's schedule so that you, dear crafters, can focus on your projects in earnest! (Actually, as most of you know, I was under the weather, and Ms. Yoli was working like a dawg, so we were unable to update the blog and pimp out the features in the manner they deserve.)

So, without further ado....

NIGHT OF THE CRAFTERS (a B.Y.O.C. event*)
presented by Scary CRAFT and Side Show Studios
June 22nd (and every 4th Tuesday), 6:30 to 9pm
Side Show Studios
5635 Freeport, 6 - Sactown
(adults and mature teens only please - thank you for helping to give our Mommy-members the night "off")

*bring your own crafts ( and chair).

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The Amazing Colossal Art Show - B-Movie themed benefit for flood victims!

The Amazing Colossal Art Show is TOMORROW! What is it? you ask. Well I'll tell ya:

A “B-Movie”-themed art sale to benefit the flood victims in Franklin, IN, home of the Midwest’s second annual “B-Movie Celebration.” The Amazing Colossal Art Show will be hosted by Franklin’s adopted daughter and Sacramento's own local B-Movie goddess, The Queen of Trash!

Think rubber monsters, zombies, go-go girls, Mexican wrestlers, space girls in silver bikinis, paper plate saucers, giant robots, brains in jars, kung fu masters, skulls, death cars, radioactive insects and, of course, amazing colossal people!

Several local artists have donated works to this worthy cause, including:

The Scary-Art of Nicolas Caesar
C!nder
Lobo-Trash
Krissi Sandvik
JaredK
Samantha Marie Grove
Evie Turner
Barry Barnes
Jill Stafford
and MANY MORE!!!

Here’s the best part: ALL of the pieces will be under $100, and the majority will be $50 or under! The very air will abound with affordable art, jewelry and trinkets!

100% of profits will benefit the Johnson County Flood Relief Fund.*

Saturday, July 19^th, 6pm – 10pm
Vox Sacramento
Corner of X & 19^th
Sacramento

* unsold pieces will be shipped to Franklin, IN to be included in a silent auction in September.

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Skelekitty's Fave Blogs

So Skelekitty has been adding to her list of favorite crafty & artsy bloggers on a regular basis and has awarded the "Skelekitty Stamp of Approval" to the blogs listed on the right hand side of this very blog.

When you're cruisin' the web, check these folks out. You'll be glad you did! Also, if I'm missing a GREAT blog, please nominate them for the SK SoA!

• Threadbanger
• The Impatient Blogger
• Suzi Boneshaker
• Sew, Mama, Sew!
  
• Scary CRAFT blog (home of Sactown CRAFT NIGHT)
• Santa Clarita Craft Lab
• Sacred Snatch Designs
• Pimp Stitch
• Peptogirl (Handmade & Homebaked)
• Jaxx's Artgurl blog
• Janene Ford
• IKEA Hacker
• Girl Gone Thread Wild
• Diary of a Crafty Chica
• Creatress's Creations
• CRAFT:blog
• Collage Contessa
• C!nder
  

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Art Show and Benefit for the Midwest flood victims

Artists and art collectors, we have an AWESOME event coming up in a few short weeks to benefit the flood victims in the Midwest. Here's a quote from my beloved pal, The Queen of Trash, which got this all started:

FLOODING IN FRANKLIN, INDIANA

On a serious note, I have been very upset about the flooding in Franklin. Mister Lobo and I were in Franklin last year for the B-Movie Celebration. Upon arriving it looked like one of those small towns that only exist in the movies. Now, being that I'm The Queen of Trash, and quite prone to walking around in public in nothing but my corset and underwear, I was honestly expecting the angry mob to attack at any moment--but it never happened. In fact, something far stranger happened. They loved me!

Walking around Franklin on a Sunday morning, the old folks coming home from church waved and said "hello" and that they hoped that the festival was enjoyable. Almost anywhere else in the United States, I would be getting nasty glares, car horns honking, or perhaps even a piping hot cup of Starbucks to the noggin! They smiled and waved and as I got to know them, made me feel like I was part of the family. It boggled me to think that there was so much love and closeness in this community. If it weren't for the Cicadas (I'm terrified of bugs), I would have already packed up my things and settled there.

Now with the flooding, the town has been torn apart. They are bravely pulling together as the strong community that they are, but they need help. At the The B Movie Celebration this year, I will be donating many items to a silent auction, including a one of a kind, never to be made again, life cast of my bust! In the meantime, if you have anything that you can spare, I am asking you to please donate to the relief fund.

To further help with donations, The Q-o-T has rallied her artsy-type pals in Sacramento and elsewhere to donate artwork for a benefit show: The AMAZING COLOSSAL ART SHOW and benefit is a “B-Movie”-themed art sale to benefit the flood victims in Franklin, IN, home of the Midwest’s annual “B-Movie Celebration.” The event will be hosted by Franklin’s adopted daughter and our own local B-Movie goddess herself, The Queen of Trash, with an appearance by Mister Lobo!

Just think: rubber monsters, zombies, go-go girls, Mexican wrestlers, space girls in silver bikinis, paper plate saucers, giant robots, brains in jars, kung fu masters, death cars radioactive insects and, of course, amazing colossal people! Here’s the best part: ALL of the pieces will be very affordable (most under $100) and the majority will be $50 and under! The very air will abound with art, jewelry and trinkets that won’t put a dent in your wallet!

WE STILL NEED DONATIONS! There is still plenty of room for more art donations, so if you're interested, please e-mail me (art@krissisandvik.com) or Her Majesty (queen-of-trash@hotmail.com) and let us know. We are also in the market for a couple of sponsors to offset the venue fee and to provide some snackage, so if you know of some folks, please pass it on.

100% of profits will benefit the Johnson County Flood Relief Fund.*

Saturday, July 19^th, 6pm – 10pm
Vox Gallery Sacramento
Corner of X & 19^th
Sacramento

* unsold pieces will be shipped to Franklin, IN to be included in a silent auction in September.

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Take It Easy Kid, It's Only a Movie

For my younger friends (or those who weren't watching late night TV on Saturday nights during their youth), who haven't seen Hardware Wars, here you go: This is why those of us in the 35-45 age range get all goofy looking when we actually meet Ernie Fosselius.


HARDWARE WARS (1978), PART 1


HARDWARE WARS, PART 2

Not to mention why Ron and I crack up and shout "Tractor Beam!" every time we see one of these!


Oh, he worked on this, too!



Looking around at some of these sites, I see posts like "what's Ernie doing now?" He's working on some amazing little carvings - two were for sale in February at the Scary Art show at Grind & Groove in Sacramento, and we hope to see him at more shows in the future.

More on the wonderful world of Ernie ... NOW:
MAKE interviews Ernie
Ernie on BOING BOING
Fan photos of Ernies recent work

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Learn the secrets of The Machine

Well, my sewing machine, anyway.

This Saturday brings with it the long-awaited show, "Taking Textiles Seriously" to Side Show Studios. Cy and Char, co-owners of this fine establishment have been wanting to showcase the textile arts for some time and announced last November that it would happen in the spring. Well, my friends, your patience has paid off!

Taking Textiles Seriously Art Reception!
6pm - 10pm
Saturday, April 12th
Side Show Studios Custom Tattoo & Fine Art Gallery
5635 Freeport Blvd., Ste. 6
Sacramento

The traditional craft of working with fibers arts (aka textile arts) like spinning, cross-stitch, knitting & quilting is enjoying a resurgence. What makes the current popularity more interesting than just another turn of the fashions-come-and-go wheel is that fiber arts are also experiencing a renewal. The generation who cut their teeth on punk rock & monster movies (a lot of whom are now stay-at-home Moms) are busy redefining what it means to be a textile artist. Case in point: happily mixed in with the traditional needle arts, you will find beaded 'paintings,' pirate costumes and, yes, quilts featuring holy cupcakes and maybe even cat skeletons (I wonder who makes those...).

But don't just come to see the finished artworks! This show is also special because several of the artists will be demonstrating their secrets! Here is the tentative schedule (I'll update it as any changes are made):

6:30 No Sew Catnip Toys by Evie of Evie's Ark, All Things Animal
Evie will show you how to make several kitty faves, including her "knotty catnip cat toy," a fun catnip "destructable" using leftover TP rolls and more!

7:00 No-Sew Patches by Yoli Manzo of Sacred Snatch Designs
Yoli will show you how she makes her own patches from fun prints and a product called "fusible web."

7:30 Bobbin Work by Krissi Sandvik
Krissi will demonstrate her technique for sewing with threads that are too thick to go through a needle. (Hint: she winds it on a bobbin and works from the back.)

8:30 Custom 'Coloring Book' Fabric by Kim Brownell
A fun way to make your own fabric designs! Kim will show you how to make "coloring book" pages on fabric that can be used in your quilts or other projects.

9:00 Free-Lace by Krissi Sandvik
Krissi will show you how to recycle your thread "garbage" into beautiful lacy art and fashions.

I hope to see y'all there!

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