April Charity of the Month! MD SPCA, March for the Animals

yes, friends, it's that time of year again... the time of year when Mason, Finnegan and i beseech you to help us protect & care for some very needy animals.

we've all been hit by this struggling economy, no doubt... small business has felt it; i'm sure you're noticed your grocery bill creeping up and whoa, doggies, is that gas ever climbing, but few people realize that the humans aren't the only ones hurting here... our animal friends are feeling it too. SO many people have had no choice but to turn their dear animal friends over to countless shelters across the country, when the cost of feeding and caring for them became too burdensome... that, on top of the already over crowded shelters, is putting a great deal of strain on these facilities and the people who work very hard, every day, to help keep these once loved pets alive and in good health.

you know you should adopt your pets. you know you should have them spayed or neutered. you know you should keep your pets on a leash and get them microchipped and always do everything you promised you would do when you brought them home and gave them a name, but unfortunately, not everyone does these things, and because of it, there are a lot of helpless animals in need.



well, don't fret! i'm giving you a chance to scoop up some fabulous goodies AND help support the MD SPCA. Beginning April 1st, you can enjoy free shipping off any purchase of $10 or more AND the warm fuzzy feeling of knowing that 10% of your purchase price is going directly to animals in need. Just enter code MDSPCA in the "notes to seller" section at checkout, and wait for a revised PayPal invoice (Sale valid through Sunday, April 29th at 11:59pm). If you're interested in donating money without buying a bunch of stuff, you can also donate money on my pledge page.



And this month only, order a custom knitimal of your pet for only $100; $20 of which goes to the MDSPCA. If you've been wanting to get one... now would be a great time to do it! Knitimal Pets are about 8-10" tall and make great gifts for animal lovers; all i need is a picture of your furry friend and a little time to knit it up! If you're interested in ordering one, just send me an email!

You have until Sunday, April 29th, 11:59pm to cash in on all the animal-lovin-goodness, so go ahead and feel good about shopping!

And, if you want to check out all the good you're doing first hand... Mason and I would love to see you at the March on April 19th.

xoxo, danamarie, mason, & finn

Come take a class with me!

Spring has sprung and it's a great time to pick up some new skills.

If you've ever thought "I wish I could draw" and then thought, "aw, shucks, I could never do that", I might just be able to help.
My spring classes at School 33 have just been announced and there are two I thought would be perfect for you...

Drawing with Light: Beginning Drawing for Adults & Teens
Learn to draw in 8 weeks! Even if you’ve never picked up a pencil before, you’ll walk away with new skills & drawings you can be proud of. This popular drawing class uses light, and simple observation techniques
anyone can employ to create confident & masterful drawings from the first class!

Students will move sequentially through new concepts & techniques, beginning with line drawings and concluding with complicated still lives and interiors. Other coursework will include work with a live model & portraiture. Individual instruction and student centered lessons make this the perfect class for the beginner AND the experienced artist looking to brush up on
basic skills.

Fridays 6:30- 9:30pm
Friday, April 10- May 29th
Class Cost: $180 plus materials


Wednesday Night Whip Up!
Wish you could draw? Wonder what it would be like to paint? Curious about collage? Intrigued by printmaking? Popular Baltimore teacher, illustrator, muralist & fiber artist Danamarie Hosler will lead students through a little bit of everything. You'd be surprised what you can whip up in one night!

This 8 week course allows students to try their hand at a variety of traditional & non-traditional art making techniques--- see what they like & gain some new skills without having to commit to a single course of study. Each night, students will be introduced to a new material & will leave with a small piece of finished work! Learn how to use your new skills to make
great gifts, wearable & functional art.

A great way to spend a Wednesday night--- casual atmosphere, perfect for all skill levels. And you don't need to invest in a bunch of stuff either, because all materials are included!

Wednesdays 6:30- 9:30p,
Wednesday, April 8- May 27th
Class Cost: $200 (all materials included)

*********
Class sizes are limited and these classes haven't been announced on the School 33 website yet, so sign up with me now and get first dibs! Classes are for Adults & Teens and are laid back and lots of fun.

AND, just for you... Sign up before April 4th and get 20% off your class cost!
(when you register for the class, use the coupon code: BESTCLASS2009)

For questions or to register for classes, please contact Danamarie at: knitimal@gmail.com

your moment of zen: sleeping dog #2

dog that sleeps like a cat.



it looks like this from the other angle. sweet, sweet fluffy, pantaloon wearing dog leg.

procrastination 101: banana bread

when spring rolls around, i find myself feeling more domestic... buying flowers, cleaning my studio, dusting my overwhelming toy collection and of course, spending more time in the kitchen. i enjoy cooking, but rarely make time for it, so when the urge to bake shows up, i roll with it! I'm a chocolate chip cookie fiend, but i rarely have chocolate chips just hanging around waiting to fulfill their confectionary destiny... now bananas on the other hand...

see, i have this problem.
i LOVE bananas.
I buy them all the time.
but then i forget to eat them.

this problem is so severe that i even created a zine documenting my banana trials and tribulations; tales of the bananas that i put in my bag with the intention of eating and then completely forget about. so i usually end up with sad, sad bananas like these:



luckily, i'm a "glass half full" kinda gal and i've turned my carelessness into a good thing. i've embraced it.

you know the old adage: "when life hands you sad, squishy bananas, throw some Amaretto at them and make banana bread"!



so, if you're looking for a little something sweet to make when you're taking a break from sewing or knitting or painting or soldering, try my banana bread recipe!

You'll need:
1/2 cup of golden raisins
6 tbsp amaretto
1 cup plus 2 tbsp all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
1/2 cup sugar
2 large eggs
4 small VERY RIPE bananas (mashed)
1 tsp vanilla extract

You'll also need either a 9 x 5" loaf pan or a muffin pan (if you're feeling adventurous)

Before the making and baking stuff, pour your Amaretto into a saucepan and add the raisins; bring it to a boil then turn off the heat and let it sit for an hour so the raisins can plump up with goodness! If there is any liquid left, drain it... there probably won't be any, but just in case.

After the hour is up, pre heat your oven to 325 degrees.

In a medium sized bowl, mix: baking powder, baking soda, salt & flour
In a larger bowl, mix the melted butter with the sugar and beat it. Carefully blend in the eggs, one at a time, until you have a creamy consistency.
Slowly add the raisins and vanilla.
Mix in the dry ingredients 1/3 at a time.

Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 1 to 1 and 1/4 hours.
Check it at 1 hour and poke it with a fork... when it comes out clean, it's ready to roll!

Let it cool before you pop it out of the pan.




then cut yourself a slice and head back to your studio!

your moment of zen: sleeping dog #1

everyone needs something to cuddle.

things you do when you have a small dog

so patient.
so, so patient.

kokeshi 2009!: part 1

ok, so i'm finally ready to reveal this little nugget of goodness... I was invited to participate in a very exciting show, staring this little guy here.

The Kokeshi Show – From Folk Art to Art Toy
July 2009 - September 2009
LATDA/ Los Angeles Toy, Doll & Amusements Museum and guest curator, Christina Conway, are carefully selecting 100 artists to customize creative style wooden Japanese Kokeshi dolls to be part of a comprehensive Kokeshi exhibition at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, California. "This exhibition will be an exploration of the kokeshi doll, the traditional Japanese Folk toy originating in the mid-19th century, and how its status as a cultural icon has grown from cheap souvenir to esoteric collectible and now, to a new generation of artists, a source of inspiration for creative expression"

My mission, and i've chosen to accept it, is to turn this sweet little wooden doll into something unique and amazing. The Kokeshi blank stands approximately 8" tall and has a head that's about 2.25" round.

now... what to do, what to do?

top secret art dolls: part 8

locks of love: status report

i've been getting a little frustrated lately.
it's dumb.
my hair. i never want to brush it. i can't stand the blow dryer. wearing it down is too messy.
it's too wavy, and i'm tired of ponytails.
at some point i decided i could pull of pigtails... this may or may not be true, but I'm doing it anyway.

but mostly i'm frustrated that i'm frustrated by hair... particularly because the reason i "can't" cut it, is that i'm growing it for someone who can't do it themselves. being annoyed by my own thick locks seems silly and ungrateful.

for those of you who don't know, Locks Of Love, it "is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under age 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. [They] meet a unique need for children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics. [Their] mission is to return a sense of self, confidence and normalcy to children suffering from hair loss by utilizing donated ponytails to provide the highest quality hair prosthetics to financially disadvantaged children. The children receive hair prostheses free of charge or on a sliding scale, based on financial need."

i might not be able to send money. i don't really have the time to volunteer as much as I'd like. and i'm not so much a "run a marathon" type gal... but growing my hair? i can do that in my sleep!

the first time i grew my hair out for locks of love it seemed to grow faster and since i was hesitant to go so short, i relished the stay of execution. but that was over a year ago and i've been waiting for it to reach at LEAST 10" so i could lop it off and start over again...seems my hair has a mind of its own.

this has me thinking too things.
1.) chill out and enjoy the pigtails... few 30 year olds can get away with being asked what school they go to.
2.) take pictures and SEE the growth, however small it may be.
3.) encourage others to join you... after all, if i can convince other people to do it, then i won't have to grow my hair as fast (like i have any control over that at all, anyway).

SO, i extend this offer to you... (and i will keep you updated on my progress and check in with yours) join me in growing out your hair, follow the guidelines and when you finally DO donate your hair, send me a picture of your before and after shots and I'll give you a coupon for 50% off anything you'd like (custom Knitimals included!).

how's that for a deal?!

ok, let's go do good!

xoxo, danamarie

(ps--- stay tuned for more information about the MD SPCA's Walk For the Animals--- the April charity of the Month! and how you can help me help the animals.)

your moment of zen: wet dog

despite what he'd have you believe, we don't do this JUST to upset him.