A dappled pebble, an iridescent feather, a solitary acorn—I’m always collecting tiny treasure that I come across in nature.  When I found this piece of driftwood on the beach, I knew it would be perfect for a future project.  Weathered, worn wood always makes me think of fall.

If you can’t find a suitable piece of driftwood, a sanded scrap of wood would also work well for this project.

To prep the driftwood, rinse off any remaining sand from its surface and let it dry.  Lightly sand the driftwood so paint adheres to it.

Outline where gourds and pumpkins will be in pencil.  Paint them with gouache and acrylic paint.  Draw in fine details with a Sharpie permanent marker.  Finally, use super glue to secure a magnet to the driftwood.

Another option is to create an ornament instead of a magnet.  Drill a hole into the driftwood and run a ribbon through it to create an ornament. 

​Here’s to a cozy, creative fall!

Whether you’re avoiding COVID-19, putting on real pants, or venturing out in a polar vortex, there are many great reasons to stay home when cold weather arrives.  Staying in can be almost as interesting as a night out on the town!  Here are a few things that you can do in the months ahead to enjoy your time at home:

1.Read all about it.
Think of something that you would like to learn more about and create a custom reading list based on that theme.  This year, I’ve been reading the work of American female writers.  So far, I’ve read books by Emily Dickinson, Sylvia Plath, and Louise Erdrich.  I’ve also been learning about Milwaukee’s history.  John Gurda’s books are a must if you’re interested in delving into the Cream City’s past.

​2.Refine your craft.
Take the handmade route or go futuristic.  Learn a skill that is completely new to you or revisit an activity that you haven’t done in many years and take it to the next level.  My current must-learns are:

• Lino and silkscreen printing
• Weaving
• Punch needle embroidery
• Digital design for 3D printing

3.Make the digital journey.
If you can’t visit a museum, gallery, or destination in person, check for a digital version.  I’ll be visiting:

• La Casa Azul, formerly Frida Kahlo’s home and now a museum dedicated to her life and art
• The Chazen Museum of Art
• The Helen Louise Allen Textile Collection at the UW-Madison School of Human Ecology

Don’t go it alone.  Challenge your friends and family to plan the best winter ever and share your progress.  Let’s support each other and have some fun!