Come out and celebrate the last long weekend of the summer at the Ravenswood Remix: September 3-4th, noon-10pm. I’ll be there selling a mix of goodies made from recycled materials including beer box books, game albums and much, much more! I’ve been working hard to make new books and goodies for this show, come out and be the first to see my new work! I’ll be sharing a booth with the lovely Red Ava Design, and the show will be brimming with talented eco-friendly artists. Don’t just my word for it, here’s an even better description of the Remix from the organizers:
Ravenswood Remix is Chicago’s first festival featuring art that’s drawn from outside the margins: A refreshing remix of indie, intuitive, folk and craft art made from recycled and found materials. The two-day event, which benefits local school art programs, features workshops and education for people of all ages. With the work many eclectic artists, great music, food from forward-thinking restaurants, and refreshing beverages, it’s the best way to cap off your summer fun.
Be sure to also check out the amazing music line-up for the show over on the Remix website, they’ve even put in some clips for you to preview which one will be your new favorite band. And last, but certainly not least, make it easy on yourself and the planet by taking public transit to the show; the Ravenswood Remix is located at 4100 N. Ravenswood Ave., just one block north of the Irving Park brown line stop!
If you’re anywhere near as lucky as me, your Dad has always been there- from helping you fix a wonky bicycle chain on your first set of wheels to helping you figure out the weird knocking sound under the hood of your latest ride. You owe your Dad a beer. Let me rephrase that, you owe your Dad a lot, more than a beer (certainly)- but, how about saying thanks by getting him something fun this Father’s Day? Something like, say, 
place to keep notes and notions. Each book is handmade from recycled beer boxes and paper scraps from my larger book projects, so they’re eco-friendly to boot! I’ve more than a few 
I love paper. It speaks to me in a way I’ve always wished fabric could, but never has. I used to watch sewing friends geek out over fabulous fabric stores with a sort of uncomprehending envy; I wanted to feel the same tug, the same rush of ideas of what to do with this or that piece- but it just wasn’t there. And then I discovered paper. The buttery smoothness of washi, the durable hand-feel of lokta, the delicate strength of mulberry. . . And then the colors and patterns- oh my the patterns! Suddenly I got it, I found the material that spoke to me, that asked me to make something of it- to translate it’s beauty into something that could be looked and and used every day.
not having a huge selection in papers certainly makes up for it in unique patterns. I even found my first ever sheet of “book bind-able” Chicago map paper there, some of which is swiftly on the way to becoming the covers for a new journal. Overall Inkling reminds me a lot of 
Next up, 
Call it an early Christmas present- now thru Monday in my Etsy shop, it’s a free shipping sale! Free shipping on all orders (including custom) to be shipped within the United States!
The neighbors have begun putting up Halloween decorations and someone, by the smell of it, has lit the first fire of the year in their fireplace. With that and the chilly bite to the air I decided that today, for me at last, is fall. I started the day by buying a squash at the farmer’s market, making a fantastic cardamon rice pudding, an even wearing my scarf a bit as I walked the dog. Later in the afternoon I put on the Nightmare Before Christmas soundtrack and sat down to make some pumpkin beer box books. I’m working on binding them up now, and they should be in the shop soon- I’ll put 
Fall is starting to stir the leaves in Chicago, and I’m dreaming of the scarf and tall boot weather that’s just around the corner. Chicago, sweet (new) home Chicago, is lovely. And the fall wedding season is keeping me busy!
