From Berkeley to Brooklyn......

I'm officially home again in Brooklyn, and officially nostalgic for the smell of jasmine and strawberries in Berkeley.  It's such a special place, and I'm so lucky that two of my favorite people in the whole world live there and let me nest into their guest room for long stretches of time throughout the year.   It was hard to come back to New York this time, having set up shop in Berkeley for almost two weeks, but it felt good to step outside into an east coast spring yesterday, bleary eyed and jet lagged though I was.    Here's a short recap of all the reportable activities.  More to follow soon......

1.  I posted a few pictures from the Teahouse Studios workshop (namely my student Penny's ingenious thread organizer), but here are a few more of the class at work and the class photo at the tail end, posing out on the Berkeley deck where we ate our catered lunches, prepared by us by a former chef from Chez Panisse.  If you've been thinking about taking a workshop here, please do.  The beautiful studio and amazing catered lunches made for a pretty great weekend.   Read their review with more pictures here.

2.  I don't have any photos to post from the class at AVerb for Keeping Warm  *, but I do have this to say: it was so much fun!  It was the biggest, fastest class I think I've ever taught, and it wouldn't have been possible if Kristine and her staff weren't the best.  If you're in the Bay Area you've got to check out this amazing space chock full of yarn and cool fabrics, where you'll find Kristine and her dog, charming customers, and a not so covert fabric dyeing operation in the back room.  It's a really inspiring space.  Special thanks to my friend Jackie for being my right hand woman that night and helping all of you get set up with kits and stitch help.   Thanks buddy, I owe you a Tiki Mai Tai.

* You can read Kelly Wilkinson's recap of the class here.

3.  Finally, after those two classes were finished, Katy came and joined me and our friends for an amazing trip down the coast to Pigeon Point Lighthouse, where we stayed overnight in theCoast Guard barracks turned hostel. After watching elephant seals and migrating whales all afternoon, we dined on Cioppino and Olallieberry pie at Duarte's in Pescadaro before tucking ourselves into endless games of King's Corner and rounding out the night in the clifftop hot tub.  The stars were all out above us, and I imagined the whales down below, swimming along slowly on their migration towards Alaska.   It was one of the best weekends on record.   Thanks, California.  I'll be back.

You're Invited: To Berkeley!

Last fall I mentioned here that I would be teaching in Berkeley this Spring.  I didn't have much to say about it because it was so far off.  Not anymore!  April is coming up fast, and I wanted to touch down and tell you all how excited I am to be teaching at Teahouse Studios in April. 

I visited the space when I was in California last fall, and instantly fell in love with the sun filled, good energy filled, colorful and happy space.  Three artists, Stef, Tiffany, and Mati share this space by week, and by weekend, they open up the space to artists from around the country who come to share their skills with participants.  I think it's such a great and smart business model.

I'll be there April 15 and 16th (tax time) sharing what I know about drawing, image transfers, and quick, layered embroidery.   If you come, you'll spend two days unlocking your creativity with drawing and stitching exercises designed to loosen up and layer up your marks and textures.  I'll bring tons of samples, materials and suggestions, and Teahouse will provide a great space to work in as well as a catered lunch (and snacks!) both days.  If you'd like to come from out of town, their website has a few suggestions of places to stay.  I'll be there the following week soaking in the eucalyptus scented air of California and staring out into the bay. 

I can't wait- and I really hope you'll join me.   If you use this special code ILOVETEA (no spaces, all caps) you'll get 10% off.   Register Here.