Branching Out

My facebook account has been fixed!  Whew!  That was a lesson in just how addicted I am.  Facebook is like the newspaper used to be.  Here are more pictures from the workshop this weekend.  Love these branch sculptures.





 This is Bob Friese, AIFD, our host, telling us about these gorgeous hand-made reindeer.  No 'made in china' labels anywhere :)

This is James Lutcke, the designer who made the birds for the White House Christmas trees.  We got to hear all about his Washington DC adventure.  His work is incredible.

James' red twig dogwood bouquet armature.  I'm going to findr red twig dogwood to plant in the garden this year.

Looking out from Bob's great room.  Awesome twig valence.

Table setting for lunch, which was delicious--homemade soup, bread, & apple pie.

Hope to go back one day to one of their annual Nature's Creative Edge shows.  In the meantime, I'm going to be looking for sticks!

Branching Out, Returning Home

I had a great trip to Michigan over the weekend.  Got to visit with my mom and my sis which was wonderful, then on to a class that's been on my wish-list for quite some time.   I loved every minute, except for the driving around Chicago, which I'll have to tell you about sometime.

Home looked awfully good when I drove in the driveway last night.  And these new pictures were waiting :)  Yay!  They are so beautiful.  I can't wait to see my Betsy-girl and Kyle-boy again.

 

Here's a quick couple of shots from the Branching Out class taught by Bob Friese and James Lutke.  Great teachers and hosts.  It was chilly, but beautiful.  The studio was warmed by a wood stove.  Lunch was home-made soup, bread, & pie. 

It's really good to be home.  My most immediate problem now is not really going back to work, it's that facebook won't let me in.  And while I am willing to try life without a printed newspaper--I don't believe I can live without facebook.  The facebook team has already responded once, so hopefully that will be fixed soon.  Here's to a good Tuesday :)

Conference Pictures

These are from James Lutke's show last weekend. He's from Michigan. Last fall he taught us how to make a tree from a bunch of willow tips and a spool of wire. Love love love his work. I want to put some things like this in my garden. But I will have to make sure Mark doesn't use it for kindling.

James Lutke Class

James Lutke sculpts amazing things out of branches and wire. Today he taught a class in St. Louis. My fingernails are a mess, my hands are sore, my feet ache. It was great. I loved every minute!