Saturday, January 4, 2014

 

January 2014 Scribnote

COMMENTS FROM OUR CHAIRPERSON
The holidays are gone and we are ready to have some quiet time working on our artwork. We have snow on the ground as we have had for several weeks so it’s a good time to stay inside and write or create.
Barbara Mann
Barbara Mann was in South Bend to give a workshop on Paint Box Flowers early in October and we enjoyed those two days so very much.  I have said for many years that when I retire, I want to learn how to paint.  Barbara was very instrumental in helping me in that process.  Her light hand flowed across the watercolor paper and made the most beautiful flowers.  Thanks so much to Barbara for providing us with two days of uninterrupted time with our art and our like minded friends. 

How to paint a Poppy

Barbara's Poppies













Maureen 
Barbara doing a demo


Sharon's got it!
Book example



A REVIEW....


 Paintbox Flowers, with Barbara Mann 
 by Barbara Walsh
“If you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it's your world for a moment.”  
Georgia O'Keeffe 
And that is what we did on Saturday and Sunday, yet we were able to have more than a moment but two full days - capturing the essence of flowers 
 While the fall season was upon us and the weather outside was dark and rainy at times, inside the Whispering Pines, it was all sweetness and light.  We filled our sketch pads with colorful poppies, pansies, daisies, bouquets and more    we learned and worked on so much in the 2 days that the time flew by.   Barbara shared her wealth of knowledge on the paints, brushes, papers and techniques to create these luminous flowersThe colorful handout materials will be a useful reference – including many examples of brush strokes, flowers, and a fun lettering style It was quite refreshing to start out with a new palette of colors and the rich Sennelier paints.  We learned the subtle softness of the Sumi brush stroke, the many uses of the aqua pen, and how to use the wedge brush.  We learned how less can be more with the simple wash of irregular paint strokes.   
Barbara encouraged us all to continue to play with all we learned, and to allow the painting of flowers to bring happiness and joy.
I think Sharon is quite happy with her Poppies!

I was not able to attend the November meeting due to my husband and I spending two weeks in Ft. Myers, Florida sitting on the beach, swimming in the pool and sitting in the hot tub.  Poor me! Oh, and getting eaten alive by a little bug, no bigger than the head of a pin, called No See Ems.  They are truly so small that you can hardly see them but you can feel their powerful sting and then itch for another week.

  Sharon Esmont conducted the November meeting, thanks Sharon, and thanks to Angie West for demonstrating Versals to the group.  Angie’s Versals are always cheery and colorful! There was a good discussion at this meeting of things to do for the 2014 year. 


We want to extend our congratulations to Bryan and Amber Schindler on the birth of their precious baby girl Ella Marie on November 5, 2013 at 6 lbs 19 ¾ inches long. We can’t wait to meet her!


Renee, Maureen and Connie
Our December meeting was held at the home of Pat West and included 12 members.  The carry in was marvelous and our meeting was fruitful including what we have planned for the rest of the year.  Please read below to see what we are doing month by month. We also had an ornament or card exchange and the creations were lovely.  Thank you Pat for opening your home to us for several hours and for the delicious ham you provided.  Our Christmas meeting is one of the highlights of our year. 

Maureen's card
Maureen should demo this!!!

We also discussed Moon Tree in Plymouth, Indiana and the dates that we will be setting up and tearing down our pieces as well as a reception and demonstrations on April 5.  We will be looking for volunteers for all of those dates, so please put one or all of them on your calendar for 2014.  We want to have a great exhibit with all our members included!
April 1 – 4, 2014    -    Set up – pieces should be to Anne or Ginny before April 1
April 5, 2014-              Reception and demonstrations
May 12, 2014 -            Takedown

One of the photos on this blog is of all the handmade cards that Anna Schlemma received for the 26th anniversary of her 39th birthday.  Marianne Burke sent out a secret email to several of Anna’s friends and fellow calligraphers proposing a surprise “card party”.  Anna was very unsuspecting of all the envelopes coming her way with a “do not open until November 16.  She couldn’t wait to get up on the morning of her birthday to open them all up and ogle at the beautiful cards.  Receiving a hand lettered envelope in the mail is like receiving a present all tied up with a bow!  You hate to open it because it is so beautiful!
Anna's Birthday Cards

The MCG elected to send donate monies to Christ the King Church, the Northern Indiana Food Bank and the Midwest Museum of Art. 

 I hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday season and that you are ready to resume calligraphic work other than Christmas cards and gifts and get to work on a piece or two to hang at Moon Tree in April. 

Finally I want to thank the Michiana Calligraphy Board, Sharon Esmont, who always opens the church early so that we can meet every month; Maureen Trubac, who keeps us up to date on our finances; Jo McPherson, who sends out many important emails during the course of the year; Pat West, our new secretary who records all that we talk about in a meeting and types them up so that we are reminded of what we discussed; and Renee Tuveson for being the blog coordinator.  We couldn’t keep everything organized without the extra time they put into our organization.  Thanks ladies!


FUTURE WORKSHOPS

Julie Wildman – We have scheduled Julie Wildman from Chicago for our 2014 spring workshop called Lively Letters.  Please put April 26 & 27, 2014 on your calendar. The workshop cost will be $110. plus supplies $15. Supply list will be coming soon. Please give your check for $110 or a deposit of $55. to Maureen Trubac to secure your spot in the workshop.  Julie exhibits at the Newberry Library every year and that is where we talked to her about coming to South Bend for a workshop.  Check out wildmandesigns.com to see her lovely work.  More information will follow regarding this workshop in the near future.  You can give your check to Maureen Trubac starting at the January 11, 2014 meeting.



All Day Paste Paper Workshop
 The MCG had originally chosen the Moon Tree reception date to make paste paper, but we have had to change the date to the next Saturday, April 12, 2014, to spend another marvelous day together to make paste papers.  The workshop will be from 9 – 5 pm with a short business meeting during our lunch break.  Supply list will be forthcoming before the all day get together.  There is no fee for this workshop.  More information in the near future.


Our workshops seem to have people drop in and out at will.  We have been very generous in returning monies paid for the workshop if someone decides not to attend at the last minute, but we are going to have a change in this policy.  There will be a nominal fee if you drop out of the workshop.  If there would be an emergency, for instance, a birth of a child or grandchild, illness, etc., then the board will take this under advisement to decide on a course of action regarding a refund.  Also, if the workshop is filled and there is someone to take your place, that would also quality for a refund. So please, if you want to sign up for the workshop, make sure that you put that date on your calendar as a commitment.  We have a small calligraphy group and we struggle to fill workshops at times.  We need all of you to attend as many as possible so that we can continue to have quality instructors. 

Are you on Facebook? 
If so, look up your favorite calligraphers because they are on Facebook also.  I like to look at Barbara Close, Reggie Ezell, Julian Waters, John Stevens, Rachel Yallop, Pendragons, Capital City Scribes, Yukimi Annand, etc.  There is a lot of beautiful calligraphy on these pages that will get your inspired. 

PO Box in South Bend –
Due to a lack of much mail at our Post Office box in South Bend, we will be suspending any mail sent to that address.  If you have anything to send to the MCG, please send to Maureen Trubac 50685 Mercury Drive, Granger, IN 46530 or Ginny VanderHey 51854 Stoney Creek Drive, Elkhart, IN 46514. When monies are due for a workshop or dues, they will now go to one of these addresses. 


 


WEBSITES TO ENJOY)
Festisite.com (click on
CCM: Creative Card Making (Facebook)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coEMPv5zaVQ (Pat Blair – miracle wedge demo)

I enjoy sharing new websites that I have come across in our blog.  If you come across something that you think would interest the whole group, please email them to Ginny or Renee, and we will get them on the blog for the next quarter. 
American Frame – Just a reminder that if you order from American Frame, please mention MCG, and they will give us a small stipend.
MCG Meetings for 2014

January 11 – Tool Day – Bring favorite tool or tools you don’t know how to use
February 1 - 10am – 2pm Gwen Weaver writing – bring your lunch
March 1 – Anna Schlemma will be demo-ing Italic and gothicized italic
April 5 – Reception and demonstrations at Moon Tree
April 12 – Paste Paper all day at Christ the King Church 9 – 5 pm
May 3 – Julie Wildman Show and Tell
June7 – Pat West will demonstrate Sherri Kiesel letters
July 12 – Different papers to write on & Barbara Fedder will demo pastels
August 2 – Picnic at Ginny VanderHey’s – Exchange to be announced
September 6 – Maureen will demonstrate something she is working on
October – Calligraflea – Bring tools, paper, etc., no longer used
November – Holiday/Christmas Card Playtime
December – Christmas get together

Cut the schedule of dates in the newsletter out, and put it on your fridge for future reference.

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP
Annual dues of $15 are due in July. Our annual dues have not changed in many years and are put to good use for supplies for our make it/take it meetings, annual raffle in August, and, at the end of the year, we give to local charities. Please remember to send your dues to the MCG post office box as soon as possible.

OFFICERS
Ginny VanderHey, President 574/262-1345 gvanderhey@hotmail.com
Sharon Esmont, Vice President 574/272-5481 Sesmont@aol.com
Maureen Trubac, Treasurer 574/272–0733 maureentrubac@hotmail.com
Pat West, Secretary 574-612-9328 pwpatwest@gmail.com
Jo McPherson, Study Group Chairperson, jobakestwo@centurylink.net
Renee Tuveson – Blog Coordinator

If ever you would like to add to the newsletter/blog, please contact one of the officers, and we will get that information to Renee Tuveson. Something you have done or have seen would be welcomed into our information.