Of course an event like this just cries out for a poster. At first Barbara and I thought about using “Arts and Crafts Keep You Sane”, a poster I did for a signing for Leisure Arts to show my latest stitching kits that they produce.
I love that drawing and goodness knows truer words were never spoken (or rather, put on a poster), but Barbara and I both felt it didn’t quite express what we hope the workshop will be all about.
Almost always, artists work alone in their studios, whether or not the studio is a completely tricked-out room with an actual closing door or one end of the dining room table. Most people need that quiet and solitude to reach down inside and pull out all those thoughts and ideas that eventually turn into a piece of art. But I’ve always felt, after all the work that goes into the creation (and I’m counting all the pre-art thought and planning), that the piece just isn’t finished until somebody looks at it. Then the communication begins!
Well, imagine that communication starting right at the beginning of a project for a change. Coming together with a couple hundred like-minded creative people to talk, plan, share ideas, laugh, and PAR-TAY! Yep, we needed a brand new drawing to illustrate this special weekend. I wanted to show a lot of people working on lots of different projects and having lots of fun doing it.
I started out with this sketch
but decided it was too busy. I reduced the number of people and this is the final drawing I came up with, although the colors and lettering may change a little by the time the Workshop weekend rolls around.
But the sentiment “Bring A Friend, Make A Friend” will stay the same because that’s what the event is really all about. Making things with friends old and new—- what could be more fun??! Barbara and I hope to see you there, but if you can’t make it, the poster will be available on this website to remind you that there is no better way to spend a few hours than with a bunch of good friends and a huge pile of art supplies!
Registration for the Home Companion Workshop begins Sept 1st, 2009
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This is wonderful! I wish I could attend..I need that first print for my studio..the sentiment rings so true. Thanks for reaching out to all of us and keeping us in the loop!
~elizabeth
http://www.nelladesigns.com
http://www.nelladesigns.blogspot.com
Comment by elizabeth — August 20, 2009 @ 5:42 pm
Love, love, love it!!!!!! I am doing exactly that Mary! Bringing my best friend for a long weekend with fellow crafters!! Can’t wait! We are both long long time ME fans!! Thanks for providing this opportunity!!
Comment by cindy doyle — August 20, 2009 @ 6:00 pm
What a wonderful drawing, you are an amazing artist!
Comment by My Shabby Roses — August 20, 2009 @ 6:11 pm
The image on the poster says it all. I am SO there!
Comment by jenny b harris — August 20, 2009 @ 6:42 pm
Absolutely Awesome Mary! And I do love the Arts and Crafts Poster too. Will have to try to find a copy of that somewhere.
Was fun to show my very frustrated 9 year old daughter your drawings tonight. She can’t get her eyes “just right” and gets so frustrated. We all start somewhere. Thanks for the inspiration!
Comment by Angela — August 20, 2009 @ 9:18 pm
I am so tickled that you have a Blog! I am such a crazy huge fan of your work and have been for years. I will be checking here often to see what you post….
I love to have weekend scrap booking parties. I get so much done.
~Liz
Comment by Liz — August 20, 2009 @ 9:32 pm
Oh Mary, I LOVE the new illustrations! I want to come!
Comment by Sivje Parish — August 20, 2009 @ 10:58 pm
oh, i love the drawings, and knowing the thought process! thank you for sharing! i wish i could be there!!
Comment by maryann — August 20, 2009 @ 11:07 pm
How fantastic! I will definitely be there!
Comment by Callie — August 21, 2009 @ 8:10 am
It’s great! Actually, I’m going to be having a similar party at my house in a month or so. My name is Michelle, and I have a few friends named Michelle, so I’m going to have a Michelle + 1 crafts and goodies night. That way, we get to meet each other’s friends, and expand our friendship circle in a fun, relaxed environment. I’m really excited about it!
Comment by Michelle H — August 21, 2009 @ 11:16 am
Wow! This sounds just like the perfect jump start to stagnant inspiration. I didn’t know you had a blog so it’ll be fun to follow it! Fabulous idea!
Comment by Jenny — August 21, 2009 @ 2:52 pm
Oh I so want to be there….I have three groups of friends I get together with each month and craft, scrap, and quilt. I have been a HUGE Mary fan since I saw my first card in 1989 – everyone needs their own spot – exchanging ideas and meeting you all would be a dream come true. Kathi
Comment by Kathi Jaffke — August 21, 2009 @ 3:06 pm
This sound wonderful! I would love to attend!
Cerri
Comment by Cerri — August 21, 2009 @ 3:53 pm
So incredibly excited to have re-discovered you through your blog. Love the keen sense of fun and friendship you captured in your illustration. Oh how I wish I could be there – but I will keep my eyes peeled for a feature story with pictures?!
Comment by cathie — August 21, 2009 @ 4:56 pm
CAN’T WAIT FOR THE WORKSHOP. MY SISTER AND I ARE GOING TO BE THERE FOR SURE …. WHAT A GREAT TIME THIS WILL BE.
PATTI H.
Comment by PATTI H — August 21, 2009 @ 5:49 pm
oh boy, do I ever wish I could…
Comment by Elaine/TinkerVerve — August 21, 2009 @ 6:49 pm
I believe I am “free”!!!!!
Loved the article in the latest WWC magazine. I’ve been with you from the start of your cards and all the HOME COMPANIONS!
You taught me to be me!!!!!
Comment by peggy gatto — August 21, 2009 @ 7:41 pm
Mary Engelblog!!! That’s waaay cute. Does the whole amount need to be paid when registering? I really, really want to come.
Nancy
Comment by Nancy — August 21, 2009 @ 8:41 pm
This is so exciting, and right here in my hometown,I will be there!!!Waiting patiently for September 1.
Comment by Donna Cook — August 21, 2009 @ 8:55 pm
It is so great to see you with a blog! As an artist, I have missed the inspiration your magazine brought every month! The workshop sounds exciting, I would love to go!
Melissa
Comment by melissa — August 21, 2009 @ 9:21 pm
Wonderful! I’m within driving distance (barely) from Nashville. I’m having problems signing up for your newsletter. Can you let me know what your registration process will be and where? FUN!
Comment by Rosa — August 21, 2009 @ 9:54 pm
Wonderful idea! Home Companion was THE inspiration for my store – I was sooo disappointed to see it end. I’m thrilled you’re offering this!
Comment by Mary Cambruzzi — August 21, 2009 @ 10:00 pm
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Hi Mary!
Thanks for sharing the process behind the poster (which is wonderful, BTW!) It turned out great! Love the original one too…it’s perfect for going into the solace of the studio. But as for the workshop, there’s nothing quite like the joy and therapy of creating and encouraging one another side by side. I hope to be able to attend – I’m quite sure it’s gonna be a blast!!
Blessings,
Becky Schultea
Comment by Becky Schultea — August 22, 2009 @ 7:54 am
Hi Mary!
So glad you decided to do this…can’t wait!
Comment by Chris and Sharon — August 22, 2009 @ 9:15 am
I’m so glad I followed a link to your blog! I’ll be sure to visit often.
That definitely looks like a star studded event… so many wonderful names listed. Wish I could attend, but for those of us that can’t, I hope you’ll document everything and report back on your blog!
Have a lovely day!
Comment by Lana of Honeysuckle Lane — August 22, 2009 @ 9:16 am
Thank you for showing the process. The ideas are what make me jazzed! All those POSSIBILITIES!!!
Comment by Deb — August 22, 2009 @ 9:53 am
I can’t wait to be there! My Best Friend and I celebrate our 50th birthdays next year and we making this trip together to do it right!
Comment by Donna Bogert — August 22, 2009 @ 6:25 pm
This would be sooo fun. You are an inspiration to me and my friends. Truly do miss Home Companion as I got it from the beginning and buy everything ME that I find. Debi in Ca.
Comment by Debi Vine — August 22, 2009 @ 7:29 pm
Wonderful drawings! What a great idea to bring a friend. You are very talented. And your blog is alot of fun.
All the best to you! Have a great day.
Janet Bernasconi
Janet’s Creative Pillows
Comment by Janet Bernasconi — August 24, 2009 @ 5:44 am
I love this picture! Most of my favorite memories involve fun times making things with family and friends. My daughters are all crafty people too and we love to create together and to gather with other creative kindred spirits.
You are awesome Mary! Thank you for bringing us all together and inspiring us with your creative spark!
God bless you!
Comment by Dee Dee Foley — August 24, 2009 @ 2:18 pm
I am SOO excited to find out that you have a blog!!! I am a huge fan of yours and have collected all of your magazines. So glad to see what you are up to!
Comment by sara's art house — August 24, 2009 @ 3:18 pm
SHUT UP THAT IS SO CUTE! You know that I will be there and loved that you showed the process of getting to this poster art. Let the crafting begin…
Comment by Sheila — August 24, 2009 @ 5:56 pm
Hello mary
cant wait to get the info so we can sign
up sept 1… best friends are the choc in life
love your new poster way too cute
ter one of your queens of everything
Comment by ter — August 24, 2009 @ 10:38 pm
Gosh,
I wish I could come. It is so true about art not being art until someone sees it. It’s also true about the being alone. Thanks for sharing your process
Comment by Erin Russek — August 25, 2009 @ 6:45 pm
So excited to see your blog! I wish I could attend the workshop, sounds wonderful! And it was so fun to see your sketch for the poster– I love seeing the process of things.
Comment by Sarah Dillard — August 25, 2009 @ 7:01 pm
I am packed and ready to go right now. Spring 2010 seems so far away, but it looks like I will just have to wait like everyone else.
Linda
Comment by Linda Crispell — August 25, 2009 @ 9:52 pm
So happy for all the wonderful ME changes even though I miss my magazine. Tried to sign up for your newsletter but rec’d link error.
Can’t wait to here more about the workshops and gathering of fun.
Warmly,
Karla
Comment by Karla Laura Smith — August 26, 2009 @ 1:30 am
Thread, pins, buttons and paint! Oh how I wish I could go. I need to win the lottery and then the workshop needs to come to California! I’m just as happy as everyone else that we can now check in with our favorite artist again! Thanks for sharing your talent with us Mary!
Comment by Betty @ She's Sew Pretty — August 26, 2009 @ 8:10 pm
Oh I can’t wait . I’m ready to go now.!!!
Comment by Janice — August 27, 2009 @ 8:59 am
I am DESPERATELY trying to sign up for your newsletter as I would like to be sure to get a spot in your workshop, but as mentioned above there is an error in the link. I hope you can get this fixed before September 1. Thanks.
Comment by Judy Grubbs — August 27, 2009 @ 12:00 pm
Where can I get the “keep you sane” poster? Is it downloadable? It would make a wonderful wallpaper!
Comment by Sharon — August 28, 2009 @ 7:58 pm
Thank you so much for setting up this workshop! I’m so hoping to earn enough $$ to be there. It’s my hometown & I’d never pass up an opportunity to visit. Your workshop is lighting a fire under me. I’d love to join the fun & community you have planned. Hope to see you there!
Comment by Laura Zarrin — August 28, 2009 @ 8:02 pm
i particularly like the first drawing–yes, it is “too busy”. however, it perfectly embodies our homeschool get-together creative days–four girls, two moms, three little boys. . . .and a toddler! so much energy!
the workshop sounds wonderful! glad to be able to hear from Mary again, whatever the medium!
Comment by April — August 29, 2009 @ 6:26 am
This illustration totally reminds me of the one you drew with the small children crafting around a table. It makes me feel like a kid again just looking at it!
Comment by The Football Wife — August 29, 2009 @ 8:04 am
I know when and where, but how?
I simply cannot find more information your your art retreat. Am I just not looking in the right place?
Comment by Terry Frias — August 30, 2009 @ 11:34 pm
Oh, Mary, I miss you so! Your workshop sounds wonderful – maybe you can take them around the country?? I saw you in “Where Women Create” and it made me so homesick for your Home Companion. It was truly my all time favorite publication – I’m re-reading all my old ones – I subscribed from the very beginning. Are you coming back to Alpharetta GA anytime in the future? Love the poster! Thank you for sharing!
Comment by Kathy G. — August 31, 2009 @ 11:24 am
Okay, it’s September 1st…how do we register? Can’t wait!
Comment by Pam — September 1, 2009 @ 7:45 am
…I’m counting down the minutes until registration opens! Can’t wait!!!
Comment by Kelly — September 1, 2009 @ 11:43 am