A little feathery fluff

Hey Susan! These are for you.

Just couldn't resist after re-reading Susan's post titled a bit of fluff and frivol. It's about feathers, tea bags and books. Three of my most favorite things.

Bliss

A few weeks ago my family ventured to the Outer Banks of North Carolina for our annual family beach week. We were blessed with ideal weather this time and enjoyed spending most of it outdoors.

Ellie and I walked over to the beach one morning just after sunrise.

My little urchin brought her boogie board

and braved the ocean's morning chill

while I waited on shore,

taking photos

of shells

jellyfish

and feet. Hers, not mine.

After breakfast, we went to the race track

and bumper cars.

Along the way, the girls spied this beautiful butterfly (or is it a moth?) on the ground. Lifeless, poor thing. Made me think of Velma and her penchant for sharing dead critters on her blog ...so...Velma, this one's for you.

Evening found us back at the beach for a bit of water time.

The tide was turning and not ideal for righteous boogie boarding, but Ellie and Grace didn't let that stop their fun.

Ellie was queen of the hill

while Grace made jellyfish cairns.

Back at the house, I decided it was time to try out the kayak that John made.

Pure bliss.

Alchemy of Tea

I'm pleased to announce my participation in Alchemy of Tea at the Cornelius Arts Center in Cornelius, North Carolina September 13 - November 14, 2014.

Water Dreams #2, detail, ©2014 is long piece middle left

Alchemy of Tea brings together a group of national artists inspired by tea. This unique and stunning collection of work provokes viewers to ponder the transformation of tea from its consumable and degradable form into art. Tea has been part of sacred rituals across the globe for centuries. The fragility and golden hues found in this collection project the historical and spiritual roots of tea, while each artist's subjects juxtapose a contemporary take on tea as a medium and muse. From installation to photography and porcelain to encaustic - this exhibition has something to inspire everyone. Featured artists include Barbara Bartlett, Bridget Conn, Elizabeth Alexander, Jennifer Coyne-Qudeen, Mari Omori and Rodney Thompson. Alchemy of Tea will be on exhibit September 13 through November 14. 

Join us for the reception - September 13, 6:30-9 pm.*

 Water Dreams #1, ©2014 featured on the sponsor page

*text from Cornelius Arts Center postcard

Searching for Roy G Biv 3 - Pink, Update 2

Welcome to the August installment of the search for Roy G Biv. Julie and I are venturing outside the Roy G Biv alphabet for the remainder of 2014. We're celebrating pink this month.

With 2 little girls in the house, it seems we've had numerous infestations of the color - from little girl pastel pink to my favorites, magenta and fuschia.

It came as a bit of a surprise last week to find it at the Outer Banks of North Carolina, in Duck and Corolla.

 My brother in the lead.

 

 Grace left. Ellie right.

 Seems even pirates can get their pink on.

 A flag in Duck

 happily dancing on the breeze.

The shark at the bait and tackle store in Duck was a favorite as was the winged pink pig mailbox at one beach house, the kids' pink with white trim Victorian playhouse for sale and the little girl pastel pink pick-up truck we passed on the way home. Sadly, there are no photos of those 3. I wasn't driving and, well, my skills of persuasion need honing it seems.

At the company picnic Monday, I managed to find a few more goodies to share. My favorite is definitely Ellie's face paint and crooked smile.

If you want to join in the fun and share, just leave a comment with Julie or me and we'll be tickled pink (sorry...couldn't resist) to link to your post. Stay tuned for updates. Enjoy!

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If you're in the mood for a smidge more pink, stroll on over to see what treasures Julie,  Sharmon, Yarngoddess, Mary Ann and Maya have found.

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Lisa of arzigogolare has the most delicious strawberry pink. 

Charlton Stitcher shares an English garden's pinks. 

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September 18 - black

October 16 - white

November 20 - brown

December 18 - blogger's choice

Searching for Roy G Biv - reminder

The next installment of Roy G Biv is this Thursday and we're up to pink.

If you join in the fun, just leave a comment with Julie or me and we'll be happy to link to your post. 

Happy hunting!

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September 18 - black

October 16 - white

November 20 - brown

December 18 - blogger's choice

Home again, home again...

...jiggity jog. Until tomorrow, that is, when I take off on another adventure. There was a bit of business-y type stuff to be done in the studio this week and a good couple days were spent photographing pieces that will be in an exhibit next month.

 Tea Stories #10 ©2014 Jennifer Coyne Qudeen

Alchemy of Tea

September 13 - November 14, 2014

Cornelius Arts Center

Cornelius, North Carolina

Opening reception September 13.

Cleveland - Day 5, the last

The last day of Velma's and Aimee's class arrived. As with any good class, it will take a while to digest all that was learned and to figure out just which bits will find their way into my work. Sunday was filled with sharing samples of work, learning new book binding techniques, playing with an indigo dye pot and, finally, packing everything up, hugs and wishes for safe journeys home. Enjoy the photos! It's time to pack the van and begin
the drive home.

pendant by Roz

Yuko's weaving

one of Velma's books from Dorothy Caldwell's class

Pam and Velma looking at Yuko's exquisite work

Yuko's monoprinted papers

My sample book of the papers I made bound with Hedi Kyle's blizzard binding

and wrapped with a bit of kozo thread that I rolled on my knee

Christine's exquisite marks on the circle paper she made.

paper in the indigo dye pot

Lotta's shifu

Velma's journal

Lotta's goodies from class, gathered and ready to go