A match made in Heaven

My cabaret at the Anaheim White House was this past Friday! It was a totally blast.  I'm so happy to say I found a way to combine my love of PERFORMING and my love of CROCHETING.  Check out this video to see how I Crocheted a Molly Made Dahlia while singing Twisted.  I was so lucky to have such a great band lead by the amazing Dan Barrett.

I also brought in my love of TEACHING.  I was joined by two of my students from The Music Room School of Performing Arts.  We did a little Sondheim ditty, "Everybody Says Don't."

How have you found ways to combine Crochet with other art forms?

Happy as the Day is Long - help me choose a flyer

I've been busier than a 16 armed Octopus! So many great things on the horizon!

In addition to putting on productions of "Peter Pan", "Mary Poppins" and "Into the Woods" and teaching all around town... I've also been working on a show of my own at the Anaheim White House.  It's set for April 22nd. Just around the corner!

The show titled "Happy as the Day is Long" has a kickin band, 3 great guest artitsts, AND a 3 course meal.  And, to top it all off, a super talented friend designed flyers!

I'm planning on using both flyers, but I'd like to choose one to use for advertising with people who I don't know.  I'd love your help deciding between the two.

Carol Channing comes to Anaheim

 A really great gem of an event is about to happen in Anaheim! As some of you know, I'm on the board of the Anaheim Performing Art Center Foundation.  (you can find out more about APAC at www.apacf.org) Well, APAC is super excited to be co-producing a concert celebrating Carol Channing's 90th birthday! AND - SHE WILL BE PERFORMING! As will some top notch BWAY talent, and Musical Theatre University's Kids Next Door. 

    I'm sure you all have your own favorite Carol Channing memories. Mine are a little random, so I thought I'd share in an effort to spark your excitement. It might seem super weird - but (being a child of the 80's) I LOVED her as the White Queen in Alice in Wonderland. Here's a clip if you haven't seen it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrjIVhIeGnw.   And, of course, as Muzzy in Thoroughly Modern Millie!  Here's a link to her as Muzzy going to town in the number "Jazz Baby"  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-UrGp4Wbk4 I seriously WANT that dress!  And, if your own memories of Hello Dolly aren't enough to bring you to this event. I just learned that she has now dedicated her life to returning arts education to public schools. Hello! 

    She's totally crazy and totally WONDERFUL!  I can't wait!  And to top it all off, this event will benefit her foundation, The Dr. Carol Channing & Harry Kullijian Foundation for the Arts, Musical Theatre University, and The Anaheim Performing Arts Center Foundation. With tickets as low as $20... I can't see how this concert won't sell out! 

    Tickets are now available here - http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/166337 OR - you can also purchase VIP tickets, which include dinner at The Anaheim White House and an after party with Dr. Carol Channing herself by calling Shelley Sherman at (714) 554-6033.

         I look forward to seeing you all on April 16th!

                         Here's to kicking up our heels when we are 90!

                                           

Crafting Parties?

Those of you who know me, or who have read this blog, know that I love kiddos! I'm super lucky to teach roughly 20 dance/singing/fiber classes a week here in Orange County.

I've really enjoyed teaching Fiber Arts at www.SuzoosWoolWorks.com.  For the past few months I've been teaching home schooled kids to create all kinds of crafts with wool.

After an evening with some friends that turned into a night of non stop felting,  I've been toying with the idea of bringing crafting parties to you!   I'm still working out the details, but I wanted to see what you all thought.  Would you or your kids enjoy a felt making party? I'd bring kits with instructions and each guest would leave with a little felted critter or a sweet smelling soft bar of felted soap.

Let me know what you think!

Here's some pics of my classes and the evening that the wool took over the kitchen.




We even had Dad's Felting Baseballs!

Felted Birds

Felted Giraffes

Felted Bird Kits

Inside of Bird Kits

Felted Cake

Felted Cakes look good enough to eat. Full of Fiber too!

I'd love your thoughts on Crafty Parties.

Still in love

Ever since my good friend and super talented designer pointed out the giant felt piece in the David Rubenstein Atrium at  Lincoln center about a year ago, I've been obsessed with Claudy Jongstra.  I had been in that room before and always thought it was a painting.  But, it's so much more.  The walls are COVERED with beautiful hand died, handmade felt. It still takes my breath away every time I get a grilled cheese sandwich and chickpea salad at Witchcraft.



Well,  yesterday, Melissa sent me a picture of a gorgeous rug not realizing it was made by Claudy. It sent me back to her website, www.claudyjongstra.com and I'm obsessed all over again.  Check out these pictures of her process. So insane. Can we please take a trip to the neatherlands and help her tend her flock of rare Drenthe Heath sheep?

What a great way to wake up!

This morning I woke up to find I was mentioned as a "tweep to follow" by @CrochetBlogger.

Check it out!

http://www.crochetconcupiscence.com/2011/02/10-crochet-tweeps-to-follow-on-twitter/

(Literally... I was still buried under the covers when I was notified of the mention through my phone)

I also realized I've been missing out on what might be the greatest crochet blog EVER!



(from StyleBistro via CrochetConcupiscence)

I've only had a few minutes to explore Kathryn Vercillo's blog, but I'm already in love.

I've learned a new word

Concupiscence - Which she defines as "An ardent usually sensuous longing"... "The Never satiated desire to draw as much of reality as possible into one's self; the unlimited striving for"... "Specifically, Concupiscence is the spontaneous movement of our sensual appetite toward what we imagine as pleasant and away from what we imagine as painful"

And

I'm so super looking forward to checking out more of her blog - look at what she covers...

"Some of the things that you will find on this crochet blog include:

• Crochet news. There is more crochet news out there in the media than you might think!
• Crochet artist profiles. Each week on this blog I’ll profile the work of an interesting, unique crochet artist.
• Crochet book reviews. And general information about what can be found in different crochet books.
• Crochet quotes. Every day on this Monday-Friday blog you’ll find a quote about crochet.
• How to crochet. Information about crochet stitches, crochet techniques and crochet tutorials.
• My crochet patterns and projects. It’s always neat to see what other crochet artists are working on, right?
• Crochet on Etsy. Each afternoon I’ll post an image of great crochet work I’m adoring on Etsy.
• Reviews of crochet events and experiences.
• Information and ideas from the wider crochet community including Etsy, Swapbot and more."

I suggest checking her out - www.crochetconcupiscence.com

I'm now off to teach these kiddos how to work with Fiber at www.suzooswoolworks.com.

I think it's gonna be a good day. 

(Fiber Fun class - we made Giraffes!)

Art Walk - with an Indie Craft Fair!

Come Celebrate Your Art's Desire with Molly Made in Downtown Anaheim!

An OC Weekly sponsored event, ACE Art Crawl Experience is an art tour that starts at one side of the Art District and ends at the other. Starting at Downtown Community Center Gallery at 250 Center Street down to Rothick art haus at170 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim 92805. Along the way there will be 6 galleries, an Indie Arts and Crafts Fair which will be showcasing local independent artists and designers. Showcasing their unique clothing for both men and women, accessories, housewares, pet items, crochet items, gourmet edibles, photography, jewelry, stationary and paper goods, vintage clothing and more. There will also be a food truck alley, live painting, live music, performers, complimentary refreshments.

Sponsored by OC Weekly and Yellow Cab!

For more information call Shelley Reeves714 956 3586 ext 113
or look up downtownanaheim.com

Participating Art Establishments:
DCCGallery - Surface Artists Association Juried Show
opening 5-8

Sarah Bain Gallery -"Small Works"
opening 6-10pm sarahbaingallery.com

The Muzeo - Free entrance into Carnegie Exhibit
opening 6-10pm muzeo.org

AAA Electra 99 Gallery - hosted at 195 Bar and Grill
opening 6-10pm http://aaaelectra99.org/


Promenade Gallery - "Visceral Instrumentation"
opening 6-10pm
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Promenade-Gallery-Downtown-Anaheim/175407219152058

Rothick art haus - "Behind the Striped Curtain"
Opening 7-11pm rothick.com

DKooi Studio
opening 7-11pm kooi.org
_________________________________________________________

Indie Arts and Crafts Fair: Exhibitor List - 6-10

Le Modern Trinket - www.Lemoderntrinket.com 

Bonnin Designs - bonnindesigns.com 

Melissa Loschy Designs - www.etsy.com/shop/MelissaLoschy

Whimsy and Ink - www.etsy.com/shop/whimsyandink?ref=pr_shop

fab-ri-cate - www.fab-ri-cate.com

Molly Made - www.MollyMade.com

Aileen Holmes Stationary - http://aileenholmes.com/

Stuck on Vintage - http://www.etsy.com/shop/StuckOnVintage

Jami Larin Fashion - http://jamilarinfashion.blogspot.com/

Michelle Rose Couture http://www.michelle-rose.com/

JHolden Designs
http://jholdendesigns.blogspot.com/2010/08/etsy-site.html

and more