Halloween Cat Bunting spans about seven feet… purrfect for our built-in book shelves.
These past two days have felt like an entire week. Fall is such a busy time for magazine publishing as issues are crammed with booze, holiday, and winter travel advertising. I am busy printing, knitting, and bookbinding for Luna Market and other fall and holiday maker markets while my work days have become increasingly busy.
Nine hand-printed Halloween Cat heads are strung on seven feet of black hemp twine. Drawn and carved by hand.
Yesterday was a particularly problem-solving kind of day. I carved this block on Sunday knowing I would come home to a quiet house last night to print, trim, and string this Halloween Cat bunting was just what I needed. Sometimes a little project just for fun is the balm I need to soothe my overworked brain.
This project has me in the mood to watch some witchy movies this weekend.
October is just around the corner and that means lots of celebrations at Chez Vee*.
* Chez Vee (for Van Landingham) is what I’ve named our charming red cottage style home.
Sharon Horgan’s dark comedy has the same fierceness as Pulling and Catastrophe, both co-created by Horgan. Her talent for creating and writing comedy roles for women is unrivaled.
Bad Sisters is about the five Garvey sisters and begins with the death of one of their husbands, whom the other four sisters refer to as “The Prick”. The opening credits with PJ Harvey singing Leonard Cohen’s Who by Fire is inspired. The soundtrack is amazingly eclectic with tunes from The Pogues (it is Irish after all), Fiona Apple, and Stringbean. Apple TV+ Watch the trailer
The Durrells in Corfu
I watched this on a recommendation and it’s surprisingly funny. The series is based on a true story and series of novels by the youngest Durrell about their widowed mother transplanting them from England to the island of Corfu. The sister Margo has quickly become my favorite Durrell. PBS and Amazon Prime Watch the trailer
Current WIPS
Crocheting a lovely shell stitch scarf with this beautiful Louisa Harding Giardino in Rosabella. I made a granny square throw with this yarn and think this scarf should use up the 3 remaining balls. IMHO this yarn looks better crocheted than knit.
I’m still deciding whether I want to knit more wooly garlands to have enough to sell this holiday season. They sold well last year, almost too well… which leads me to believe I was charging too little. I may just knit fewer and limit them to a couple holiday markets… though pretty sure I sold out in 2 hours at Luna Market.
Megan Stuart is a mixed media artist and Twisted Garage Art Studio, owner. Megan is a long-time downtown Elgin resident and is an active member of the Elgin community. You will find her volunteering for many art-related events… don’t be surprised if she hits you up to volunteer.
1. Why did you move to Elgin?
The housing market led me to Elgin in 1989. Humorously, at the time, I was appalled by the costs of a small bungalow in Travis Heights and Hyde Park in Austin. Now, they are sky high! But I do enjoy living in downtown Elgin and have made many great friends here! And I am thrilled so many artists are moving to this area!
2. What compels you to spend time creating?
It makes me happy. I feel a need to create. Some people make music, some write, some dance. I need to create something with my hands. I become completely absorbed. I enjoy the process of making changes and seeing where they take me. My initial idea may wharf into an entirely different idea by the time it is all over. Or several new ideas. And then, it keeps on going. It is very relaxing for me. I also spend a lot of time researching oddball things, so it becomes educational as well!
3. Tell me three things you’ve learned in the past five years.
A lot has happened in the past five years. The pandemic definitely added challenges that we did not face before. Politics have everyone on the defense.
We are all scared/uneasy about something.
It is so much easier if we help each other, so reach out to someone. Be that person. I knew this before, but it is so important now.
It is okay to end that toxic relationship, even if it is family. Enough is enough.
4. What are you currently making, reading, watching, or listening to?
I am currently working on my Life Trophy series (mixed media) and “pierced” hearts (paper clay). I just finished reading The Secrets We Kept by Lara Prescott. I am also actively involved in The Elgin Arts Association, the Explore Elgin Arts and Culture event, and the Dia de Los Muertos festival.
Bean & Noodle 