Easy, Breezy, Beautiful....

...Cover Girl!

(thanks to Ann Martin for inspiring the title;
please see disclaimer at end)

"Paula Bauer
of Gem State Quilling is a very talented artist. Her quilling/ paper filigree designs are an exquisite display of this lost art which requires a good eye for detail, a lot of time and patience."

Gail Gastelu
aka Lady Gayle
Publisher/Editor in Chief
The Tea House Times
www.theteahousetimes.com

Through an extra-ordinary turn of events last month (many thanks to Gail, Vic...and God!) I was blessed with an opportunity to share a simple paper filigree project for a well-known tea publication, The Tea House Times. The project soon morphed into a possible cover feature due to deadline issues. But the hold-up was resolved, and I was expecting to simply appear within the July/Aug issue in the project section. Exciting enough as it is, and yes, a little intimidating!

So when my friend, Vic, from Victorian Heart Shoppe sent me a congratulatory email with a link to the Tea House Times website ...

WOW!

Guess who's grinning?!

If you are a tea aficionado, you really need to visit Lady Gayle's website and subscribe to The Tea House Times. Enthusiastic comments and praises from devoted readers abound! And there is much to delight those who love the Victorian and Edwardian eras, shabby chic and cottage style decor, or are interested in the oft-neglected social graces of a bygone era. Besides, Gail reports herself to be passionate about paper filigree...it just doesn't get any better than that!


DISCLAIMER:
I'll admit, this post title was misleading on a number of fronts:

• I'm not on the cover, so technically I'm not a Cover Girl...not even in dreams.

But one of my custom-created journals IS featured...close enough?

• The trellis design was not easy or breezy. It was a challenge, especially the cursive lettering, which was done with a continuous strip of quilling paper. Try it sometime if you are desiring challenge some lazy afternoon.

• I have to let my readers make their own determination on the beautiful part. Like a mother of much-loved children, it is difficult to be objective about one's creative 'offspring,' especially when heart and soul are invested. This particular creation ranks as a favorite child. Actually, the owner of this journal commissioned some large embellished frames also, which are my other most-favored pieces. Occasionally, an individual lights a fire when he/she shares a vision for a custom piece, inspiring the artist in an unusual way. Ruth Welter has done that for me...and continues to inspire through her beautiful cottage-style painted pieces and exquisite egg art.

Sending a heartfelt 'thank you' to Gail Gastelu, Victoria Otto, and Ruth Welter who helped bring about this exciting opportunity!

Paper Filigree Exhibit

A talented paper filigree artist, Ann Martin, is featured in an exhibit now showing at the Brandywine River Museum in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvannia.

"The Spirit is Quilling: Rolled-Paper Filigree"
runs from May 24 - June 15, 2008.

Ann has a fresh, crisp style which embraces Thoreau's famous philosophy: simplify, simplify. Her work demonstrates an array of artistic paper filigree techniques in her signature style that avoids the fussy frills often associated with paper filigree. I have been an admirer for years, as well as having the privilege of her warm friendship and helpful critique of my own work.

I encourage anyone in the area to visit this unique exhibit, running concurrently with "Beyond Content: Decorative Wooden Boxes." The paper filigree exhibit also features two antique paper filigree tea caddies on loan from another museum. I hear the colors on these 1700's pieces are quite remarkable for their age. What a wonderful opportunity to view some historic art pieces!

The Brandywine River Museum is located on US Route 1, not far from Wilmington, Delaware. (click for map and directions) It is open daily, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

I'd love to attend, but Pennsylvania is a tad distant for a weekend jaunt from Idaho.
If you do see the exhibit, please share a comment here and tell me about it!

A warm welcome to all the visitors from various quilling groups that I see are popping in to read. Don't be shy....say 'hi'! (click on 'comments' below any post for the comment box)

Front Page!

The Latah Eagle did a front-page write up on the McConnell Mansion Christmas party. The photo features the tree...and there are the fans I created and donated to the Mansion! They also included an inset of one of my paper filigree snowflakes, and mentioned paper quilling in the article. How cool!