My First Book

In the next few weeks I expect to hold a copy of this book in my hands:

It's my first book and it compiles 20 images from my garnished poetry series. They are one to a page so they can be removed and framed if someone would like to. They are prayers, declarations and poems that I've written through the years. Some time ago I went through and combined the poems with some watercolor and mixed media backgrounds. I've sold them individually as prints but thought it would be really cool to offer them together in a book format. This is a collection of the ones that have to do with faith, the flow of creativity, determination and living life full tilt.
This is the one that brought up the title of the book for me. I call it "Draw Me" and the poem is ultra simple: "Draw me, Artist God, Draw we." It felt right for the title of a book of prayers, etc... created by an artist to be called "Draw Me." How can we come to God unless we are drawn?

I'm looking forward to seeing the proof copy I've just ordered so I can decide what changes I'd like. I'll let you know how it goes.

I *think* I'm writing a book

Ok, if I am the "writing" part is done and the compiling work is just starting. I’m taking a look at the series of garnished poems I did a while back. I’m considering putting them together into a book of poetry garnished with watercolors and such. I have 36 images at this time, could make more if I decided it was needed. Which has led me to a dilemma.

Each 5x7 image could work beautifully on a page… thing is… how much white space do I leave? Should I do a garnished poem on every page or do one per right hand page so that they could be removed and framed if someone chose to? Suggestions and ideas welcome!

Bone Sighs

I’m tickled PINK to be on the front page of Terri St. Cloud’s website! Her business is called “bone sigh’s” Now isn’t that the coolest name for a poet/artist? Seriously! She does this nifty “artist of the month” thing and guess what? She chose me for Feb! Terri is an amazing woman who lives out there on the ragged edge exploring everything that comes her way full tilt and fine tuned. I just think she is one of the coolest empathic types I’ve ever met, very deep, very compassionate! Check out her website for the coolest poetry ever! I used to carry her work when I had the gallery and women would come in and read her work and before long I'd look over and they'd be wiping tears or hugging each other or passing the different ones back and forth to each other or reading them aloud. She has touched many with her work and I'm thrilled to be on her website!!

And guess what else? I’m turning 40 on groundhog’s day! LOL! Yeah, it’s a milestone and don’t even bother pulling out the vultures and tombstones because I’m not done yet, this is finally getting really good! I’m in a good place right now. We’ve been through some difficult seasons and seen some painful things along the way but I am at peace with my life and looking forward with expectation to the addition of three children to our home this year! I’m just SO excited about that! And I can't wait to show photos of what my talented artist brother made for me! It delighted me SO MUCH, so I'll get photos of it soon and share it!

I’m still deciding what color to paint my kitchen. I’ve covered the rainbow by now, first I wanted green, then a beautiful azure and lately I’ve been giving some thought to orange or yellow/orange. I guess I’d better buy some samples and bring them home to try out and see which ones I like best. I am going to avoid doing what I’ve always done, even though those colors were perfection - I am ready for a change of pace, something a little more vibrant and outside of the box! It will be marvelous!

Surf on over and check out Terri's site and her blog! She's a treasure!

Bone Sighs

I’m a fan of Bone Sighs by Terri St Cloud (isn’t that a great name for a poet’s business – Bone Signs!) this is one of my favorite garnished poems of hers. And as I checked out her site this afternoon I was surprised to see that she’s also selling her son Yo Yo’s photography. This one’s my fav. Love these, Love her!



And for the whole product line check here.

Sigh! :)

Just two more:



Her blog is here.

King Sized Project

It has been a busy week here. Some wholesale and internet orders really pushed me on Monday. And I have a big show Saturday so we'll see how that all comes together. This weekend I'll be showing quite a combination of work including art glass, photography, garnished poems, jewelry, soap and some fine art prints. The combinations of the different art medias are fun because I love color and the displays tend to be drenched in delicous colors, full of vibrant life. I love it!

Speaking of vibrant colors and full of life... Over the last two days my mother-in-law and I have pieced a King size quilt. It will be quilted by the ladies of her church and then sold at auction to raise money for the relief efforts of Mennonite Central Committe. A few years ago Sheril said she'd like to make one for the auction and I chimed in and said I'd be delighted to help. A year ago we picked out the fabrics and when I saw them again I remembered why I loved them. This year we pulled out the stack of fabric and my old drawing and from there emerged a quilt top that I am really happy with. It is our habit for me to design and cut the quilt, for Sheril to sew and for a third person to iron. I'm usually quick enough to keep the other two consistantly busy and hopefully on track with sewing the right parts together. And in this orderly fashion we can quickly finish complicated projects. This time we didn't have the third person and we both ironed at times but it still went very quickly and the quilt top looks great. I'll post photos when I get a chance but for now you'll just have to take my word for it.

Just a few items from the flurry

I have been very busy since my last post. And there is almost too much water under the bridge to fit in one post. I’ve posted my line of Garnished Poems on Etsy and also on my website. Going back through these was an interesting exercise since I haven’t looked at them since early this year. And some of them still feel very fresh to me. As always there are some I like better than others. Here is one favorite.

I’ve also posted my black and white alphabet photography series on Etsy and also on my website. I really love how graphic and quirky these alphabet photographs are when made into words. It is so fun to choose the letters that fit best from a visual perspective. It took quite some time to get all those photographs resized down to little tiny internet files but I’m happy with how things look. I had to add copyright protection information which I found rather annoying but it’s wise to protect the investment from those who would just save and print out my work as if it were their own. Anyone coming from my website can get to the Etsy page to make the purchase. I hope it’s an easy interface for most folks. I love the whole idea of these photographs. Actually, this has really led me to fall in love with the alphabet all over again. Seems strange, I know, but I love the simple graphic elements of the alphabet. It has me transfixed and I have projects waiting in the wings for a little time to complete them. More alphabet photography! Yes! I’ll be having more of that!



All the work on Etsy and my website has led to a complete overhaul of the site. An completely new look and I’ve tried some things I’ve left alone in the past. Surf on over and let me know what you think. CarmenRoseStudio.com

I’ve also been busy in the studio making soap. And I have a major event this weekend or else I’d spend some time making photos of the latest soaps and post them. I want to get that product line posted on Etsy and my website as soon as I can but it won’t be this week. I’ve gotten some reactions to the soaps now and am delighted to see that they go over beautifully. I’ll be selling soap and mineral makeup at the local Farmer’s Market. I wouldn’t have considered that a year ago but now it seems like it may be a good way to meet people in the town I call home these days.

Yeah, I make the mineral makeup that I wear but am still in the beginning stages of making a product line. I gotta tell ya, I love the products that I’ve made so far! I’ve made a skin care (not a cosmetic) combination of minerals, green tea and vitamin E that I wear under my makeup and at night. I’m completely amazed by what the simple combination has been able to do for my skin. Plus… since all mineral makeup is NOT created equal and there are a lot of products out there touting “Mineral Makeup” that actually have ingredients that are HARMFUL and known irritants… well, let’s just say I’m delighted to be making a product that I know is good for my skin and just happens to look great on me. Plus, I managed an exact match to my skin tone. You can’t say that everyday… my makeup matches me! Yay! Anyway, how did I get on that tangent?

I have a big event this weekend that has completely hijacked my schedule and I don’t mind a bit. It will be a great opportunity to share my work with a diverse group of people and support a great cause.

A thunder storm is blowing up and I must get home and let the border collies inside so they don't freak out completely.
ta ta

I'm going Etsy again

Yay! I’ve spent some time today working on my Etsy store. I haven’t used it in a long time and it’s nice to get it back up and going again. The items listed are all poetry/watercolor combinations I created earlier this year. I’ll be adding SOAP shortly. And who knows what else!

Etsy is an excellent venue to purchase anything hand made from individuals and collectives all over the country and around the world. Support the dream, buy hand made.