Tammy Gilley Studios

Pop-Up Hallelujah Chorus

Check this out:

I would have loved to have been in Macy's when this happened, wouldn't you?

As I watched this video for about the 87th time, I really looked at the faces of the people in the crowd.  They were so engaged, and for those few moments, all of those people were brought together into community to share that experience.

Hearing the Hallelujah Chorus like that in an unexpected environment really emphasizes how the arts deeply enrich our lives.  This pop-up chours made people who were shopping that day  at Macy's smile, dance, grab their cameras...it even made this sappy girl cry with joy.  Experiences like these make our world a more vibrant place to live.

Inspired to hear more?  Contact your local opera, symphony, or theater group and buy tickets to performances this holiday season.  What better way to spend a little time with friends and family, while supporting local arts and culture.  Amen, and hallelujah!

 

Gearing Up

 
I've applied to be a vendor at numerous holiday art fairs this coming holiday season.  I'm really excited about the possibility, and of course, really nervous awaiting acceptance.  I thought I'd show you some of the work I sent with my applications.  I've been painting, painting, painting, and having so, so much fun with it.  I hope that will shine through in my applications. 

 
Two of the earliest shows of the season that I applied for have chosen me as a vendor, and I'm thrilled, thrilled, tickled pink!!  I'll be showing my work (and selling it, too!) at the Llewellyn Holiday Market and at the Abernethy Arts and Craft Fair in November.  I'll post more information as I have it, and if you're a Portland local please come by either or both shows.

 
They are both fundraisers for local elementary schools, which makes me feel really good.  As an artist, I'll be donating a portion of my profits from those events to each school.  And we all know how our schools can use every dollar they can get.  So, come, buy, visit, enjoy! 

 
I've heard really great things about both of these events, and there will be lots of art to see, so put November 12-13 on your calendar for the Llewellyn Holiday Market, and November 14 for the Abernethy Arts and Craft Fair.  And I'll keep you posted on other events as I learn about them, which should be towards the end of next week.  I'm really excited.  (And still nervous, so keep your fingers crossed and send all that good juju my way, won't you?)

A Day at the Beach

 
First things first.  It was supposed to rain on Friday.  Well.  Lots of clouds.  However.  Never any rain.  It was awesome.  We walked along the promenade, ate fish and chips at our favorite spot, did some shopping.  Fun.  Good day.

 
These photos are the view from our condo.  Not ocean front, but as long as I can see the water, I'm pretty happy.  What is it about the water?  Do you have the same reaction?  I feel so much calmer.  A lot more grounded.  I just feel better at the ocean.  I feel it a liiitttllee big on a river or lake, but I really groove at the ocean.  Something about the tide maybe.  The rhythm of the waves.  I don't know, but I like it.  Always. Calms. Me. Down. 

 
This is the carousel in town...not a great photo, and the clown sort of freaks me out, but I wanted you to see the blue sky.  Gorgeous.  Happy sight.

 
And this?  Oh.  This is my pound-and-half of hand-picked-by-yours-truly salt water taffy that is a mandatory event at each and every trip to the beach.  And, yes, I have on flip flops.  I mean, how much better can it get?!  It's October!  At the beach!  I'm in flip flops!  I KNOW!!!!

 
Bagels by the Sea is all foxxed up for Halloween.  Always have to stop here for a bagle and schmear. 

 
My favorite: the "works" bagel (lots of seeds and salt) with mild pepper cream cheese, and the requisite diet soda, plus a glass of water because I'm very big into hydration right now....helps with those damn hotflashes. 

 
My favorite window boxes along Broadway.

 
I am totally stealing the mini-pumpkins-in-my-flower-pots idea, aren't you?

 
So adorable!

 
Stopped in for a bit of nostalgia (it even smelled old in there)...

 
I hated these things as a kid.  I always wound up with a headache.  I loved the look of them, though.  And I just wanted to drive it around the loop, minding my own business, if you don't mind.  I just hated it when people bashed into me!!  I wanted to scream, "hey, leave me alone, I'm driving, here!"  Sheesh.  So.  I had a very short bumper car career. (*sigh*)

 
Always felt better after having one of these, though.  I mean, come on!  It's a deep-fried weenie.  In corn bread.  Hello?

 
Mmm mmm good.

Fall. Ing.

 
I really can't deny it much longer.  Fall is definitely in the air.  The days are getting shorter.  Peaches and berries are being replaced by pumpkins and squash at the farmers market.  Aren't these artichoke blooms beautiful?

 
And the Brussels sprouts.  I'm not a huge fan, but these were just gorgeous, ginormous, and caught my eye. 

 
These squash blossoms were lovely, too.  Really begging for a light batter and quick dip in some hot oil.  I've never tried to doing deep-fried squash blossoms myself, have you?

 
Beets, fabulous beets!  I did buy a bunch of these.  Am looking forward to a few slices with bleu cheese crumbles and chopped hazelnuts tonight.  Does it get any better than that??!!

 
Must. Get. Out. More.  I've never seen orange or purple cauliflower.  It's almost pretty enough for me to possiblymaybethinkabout eating.

 
Such fun fall colors.  In baskets.  Loving it.  Makes me happy.
This booth always catches my eye.  Their presentation is wonderful.  Lots of color, lots of textures, lots and lots of farmer goodness.

 
Pretty fall bloomers.  Sadly, I sort of lose interest in my garden by this time, at least in terms of planting new things.  But these little orange poker thingies were awfully pretty.  I'm chewing on it this week.  May get some next week to plant.  Start a whole new thing.  Planting flowers in the fall.

 
And here they are.  The pumpkins.  Sort of like Santa at the end of the Thanksgiving Day Parade.  Fall officially is here.  Enjoy!

 

Out and About

We had dinner with some friends over the holiday weekend.  No.  This is not a new high-fashion restaurant in Portland.  More on this later in the post.  This, howver...

 
...was my burger at Produce Row.   (And, is it just me, fellow Portlanders, or has Produce Row grown up and gotten a little less shabby and a little more swanky?)  In any event, they still make the best burger around, and pour a cold beer.  And dessert?  How about a "s'more" in a dish with caramel sauce.  Mmm hmm.  You heard that right.

I had to be lifted from the table after dinner with a crane.  Not pretty.

As we wandered into the Hawthorne neighborhood the next morning, we were being followed by this:

No.  Wait.  You've got to get a closer look:

Yup.  Full-on placesetting, on the trunk of the Chevy Lumina.  I howled!  The whole thing is freaking fantastic!  It really embodies our infamous bumper sticker: "Keep Portland Wierd".  Love it, love it, love it.

Oh, and Mary...if you're reading this today, when I saw this:

...it totally made me think of you and your yarn-tagging.  :)  The ENTIRE light pole was tagged in really ugly polyester lace trim circa 1976...but, strangely, it worked!

Fun, fun, fun in the neighborhood this weekend!   

New Classes in October

Well, I'm not sure how it happened, but I've got a full dance card this fall.  I'm teaching around the Pacific Northwest, and online, too.  Fun! 

Conversation Hearts is first on the docket at joggles.com in September.  What I love about my Joggles classes is that we can all be in our jammies, and no one is the wiser.  :)  Who doesn't love a little stitching and sewing, whilst wearing fuzzy pink slippers and sipping a little somethinsomethin.

This is a fun class, focused on stitching and embellishing techniques for art quilting.  All wrapped up into a fun heart-shaped wallhanging.  It starts September 16th.

Then beginning October 2nd, I'll be teaching my Whimsical Garden quilt class at Fibers In Motion in Multnomah Village.  I taught this last spring, and it was so much fun.  But the students and I mutually decided it needed to be a two-day class.  So, by popular demand, it's back, and we'll spend two full days together.  How much fun will that be?!  

 

I love this class because we get to do some really fun design-y things.  Of course, I have templates for my blocks, and students use those.  But they also might choose to use just one or two of the blocks, or a flower from this block, a bird from that block, and incorporate a sketch of their own, that we get to interpret into an applique template. 

We do a little color theory.  We learn how to make wonky pieced blocks based on traditional quilt blocks.  It's just a whole lot of quiltie goodness and fun.

In mid-October, I pack up the pod and head to Friday Harbor, Washington to teach Treasure Nests.  Okay, really?  Teaching in the San Juans?!  Who's going with me?!!!  I occasionally have to pinch myself.

Wild at Heart Studios is introducing their first series of classes this fall.  I'm honored and thrilled and excited to be one of their first instructors.  My weekend workshop is October 23-24.  Classes are held Earthbox, which looks absolutely fab!  Lodging is available there, too.  I simply canNOT wait!!!

And Treasure Nests is one of my favorite projects.  These baskets are much fun to put together, and they make handy little vessels for storing goodies in my studio.  I've given them as gifts, too, and people just love them.  

Winding up the schedule in November is my On Pins and Needles class at Joggles. 

These felt pincushions and needle books nifty to have in your sewing room, and also make great gifts for your favorite sewing divas.  I love these little projects because they go together so easily...I have them categorized in my "Instant Gratification" file of projects.  :)

So.  There you have it.  A jam-packed schedule of crafty fun.  And just in time for making holiday gifts!  How about that?!  I hope you'll consider joining me in person or online for some stitching, conversation, and laughs.  I'd love to spend a little time with you this fall. 

Wrapped Up

Rebecca has posted photos from her recent trip to Haiti.  If you sent quilts for Quilt Haiti, sent money, sent dolls, or have just been following this story, be sure to check out her photos here.  They will do your heart good.  xo

Roughing It

Finally.  Camping I can relate to.  Cath Kidston does it again!

This Little Piggy Went to Market!

Oh, the opening day of the Farmers Market! 

A sure sign that summer is just around the corner!  Yippee!!!!!!!

And the beautiful golden sunshine greeted us this morning, too.  So, off with the top (the car top, that is, not my top!) and away we went.

What a happy, sunshine-y day!

And this little piggy made sure to sample everything from fresh carrots and berries, to a stout cuppa joe, to a little bit of fudge. 

Happy. 

Happy. 

Got a lot of happy today.  Hope you did, too. 

Re-entry

We've just gotten home from a sunny, wonderful week in Palm Springs. 

This was my morning routine: a cuppa joe, my journal, and a good book on our deck.  Bliss.

Back on the homefront, the rain is beating a steady rhythm on the windowpanes.  It's 52 degrees.  After a week in 80 degree weather, it's a little hard to take this morning.  I'm having a bit of a pity party. 

I have been dashing about getting my ducks in a row to get back to reality, so I promise a good, juicy post in the next day or so.  Hope you've had a good couple of weeks.  Chatter at you soon.  xo