Willard Beach 365 : Day 2

These photos are from August 27, 2011.

Willard Beach 365

What would it be like to photograph the same place everyday or almost everyday? Would it be interesting? Boring? Would it be fun or tiring? Would this place change a lot over that time or not at all?


I am going to give it a try. Willard Beach in South Portland, Maine will be my "place". And here is the challenge - Post at least one photograph (maybe more) a day for 365 days on my blog. The days do not have to be consecutive but I do need to cover a total of 365 days.

Seems simple enough...we will see.

These photos are from August 26, 2011.

Busy Summer

It is my favorite time of year...Summer!

So far it has been a bit of work and then a bit of play and sometimes a combo of both! Luckily I live in Maine so that is easy to do! Need a break...take a walk on the beach!

I was fortunate enough to teach at a local summer camp, "Summer Stage", at Studio 408 in South Portland, ME and then hosted a fiber arts camp at my home studio. The enthusiasm and energy of these kiddos is really inspiring and is why I love teaching! Here are some photo highlights of there creations.

Now it is on to the Summer/Fall Festivals and Shows! I need to get busy creating some new work!

Art in the Park in South Portland is up first on August 13th 9-5. Hope to see you there!

No matter where you live I hope you get to take sometime to relax and enjoy summer!

Little Pieces of Connection and Comfort

I have been making these lovely cotton and wool bracelets for Craft Hope’s Project 12: Orphan Outreach.

They’ve now taken up residence in my bag and, when I find myself waiting in the car for my daughter or husband, I make one. Then, one or two at night before I go to bed. And if I have bit of free time? Yep, a bracelet!

What is Craft Hope and Project 12, you ask?
Go to www.crafthope.com and see the great work this remarkable group is doing!

Who knows, maybe you’ll even make a few bracelets yourself!

8th Annual T-shirt & Dancer’s Art Sale

My daughter Zoe has been dancing with Betsy Dunphy at Studio 408 in South Portland, Maine since she was in Kindergarten. Eight years ago Betsy and I came up with the idea of creating a t-shirt with one of my designs and the annual Dancer's T-shirt & Art Sale was born. It is really hard to believe but it is that time of year again!

I especially love the design I came up with this year! Zoe had the great idea of recognizing Studio 408 so it has been added to the t-shirt on the back.

Here are the details:

NEW THIS YEAR… PREORDERED shirts (only) will have BOTH the DANCE design above, PLUS the “Studio 408” design on the back. Shirts sold the day of the recital will have the DANCE design only.

New! We are offering 3 different items incorporating this year’s design:

* T-shirts – available in Children’s Small, Medium and Large, and Adult Small, Medium, Large and X-Large.
* T-shirt transfers – for the do-it-yourself-ers! These are the same heat transfers I’ll be using. Each package will include 6 transfer (3 DANCE & 3 Studio 408), plus instructions, so you can decorate your own cotton or polycotton shirts, bags, etc. All you need is a hot iron.
* Art prints of the design, 8 x 10, suitable for framing or as a poster.

The cost is $18 each (tax included), with 20% of sales going to help defray recital expenses.
Please pre-order by JUNE 1st. All orders will be ready for pick-up the day of the recital. (There maybe some extras for last minute folks, but no guarantees. So please pre-order.) Samples of everything are displayed at the studio.

2 Ways to Pre-Order

1. E-mail Sue at sue@suzannedrown.com
2. Call Sue at 409-4897

2 Ways to Pay via Cash, Check (preferred), or Credit Card

1. The day of the recital
2. Prior to recital via mail (check) or phone (credit card)
Please make checks payable to Suzanne Drown

To see other dance themed items, you can visit my Etsy Shop, (Etsy is an on-line marketplace for all things hand made). If you would like one of these items let me know. Remember, 20% of all sales will go to defray recital costs.

See you on June 5th!

West End Craft and Treasure Fest

I am excited to be participating in this craft and thrift sale sponsored by the The Children's Nursery School, a co-operative preschool school in Portland's (Maine) West End.

I will be featuring cards, pins, prints and scarves. All make great gifts for your favorite teacher, grad or mom!

Here are the details:

Time: Saturday, May 7 · 9:00am - 1:00pm

Location: 32 Thomas Street at the Williston West Church, Portland, ME

Read more about it at West End Craft and Treasure Fest Facebook Page.

Hope to see you there!

Next Workshop: Batik Basics

My next workshop is coming up in a couple of weeks on Saturday April 30th! The focus is on the batik process allowing you choose what you want to create...a banner, a scarf or art flags for example! The description is below. Go to www.suzannedrown.com for more information.

Batik Basics
Batik is the ancient art process of “writing” or painting with hot wax. In this day-long workshop you will have the opportunity to create your own batik designs and learn about wax-resist techniques, including painting or drawing on fabric with melted soy wax. You will also learn dye painting techniques to color your fabric.

Teens and adults welcome.

Date: Saturday April 30
Location: So Po Art Studios, South Portland, ME
Time: 10am-4pm
Fee: $75 + supplies (approx $10)

Once you register, I will send a short list of additional materials for you to bring from home: scissors, t-shirt, extra fabric, etc. Please bring a lunch.