May 7th is around the corner and you still have time to be a part of our Softie exhibit. Please don't be shy and be sure to bring your collection in so we can ooooo and aaaawwww them. This past weekend we bundled up swatches of fleece in assorted colors. Every bundle has a baggie of treats with googly eyes and pom poms to embellish your very own softie. If making a softie is not your thing then be sure to stop by to check out the collection. If you need another reason to make it out on May 7th, the Slider food truck will be in town too. More details to come in upcoming posts.

Take a look at some of the softies we have in the store.

Softies can be any shape and not just for cuddling, Tyn made this adorable little cottage.

I made more kittens that are available in an assortment of colors and sizes.

I got creative and made sock Bunnies for Easter, big hit.

This is Kari Atol's, very whimsy and just too cute.
Her tag says, "Pearl; loves to sew"

Another Kari softie; her tag says, "Betty; an do a mani-pedi in 15 minutes"

Meet "Mad-Dog Moody"
Made by Juliette P. (10 years old)
Erin is a teacher at one of the local schools and her class made these little guys.
These are just a two from the collection she brought.

This is "Norway" made by Porter B. 11 years old

I was on a mushroom mood after helping Tam with the magical mushroom in the window.
Unlike the one in the window, these are tiny; just a couple inches tall.

Get your sofities in PRONTO! Scroll down on the blog for the details if you want to participate, we would love to have yours in the bunch.

Call to "Softie" Makers

Hey softie artisan, do you want to sell your creatures? Have you been making, softies, sock creatures, fiber monsters, felted zombies, anything soft, cute, a little crooked and cuddly? Are they multiplying overnight or in need of a good home? Do you want to sell them? Bring them into Zinnia. Zinnia will be offering to sell softies for a month. No judging, no applications, no filling out complicated forms.

Just deliver them to Zinnia:
1. In a bag with your name and info on it.
2. In each bag put 2 copies of a complete inventory of your collection with definition and quantities of your softies. The price you want for each one and the price you want to sell them for ( we will not recommend prices! )
3. Please attached a small price tag to each softie with your name and the selling price. (Zinnia gets 30%, artist get 70%)
4. When you deliver them to zinnia have someone autograph one copy for you, one copy stays in the bag

The softies will go up for sale and the softies event will be advertised during the South Pasadena Music Fest & Art Walk.
Please pick up all remaining softies by June 3rd 2011, artist will paid any monies due at that time.

South Pasadena Patch

South Pasadena Patch featured Zinnia's Spring Art in today's newsletter. Pretty cool how the Magic Mushroom has gotten so much attention.
Patch is a great way to stay up-to-date with the goings on in the city. They have different newsletter for the towns around South Pas, check it out. Is your city featured? Click or cut and paste (whatever works for you) on the link for the story about Zinnia.
http://southpasadena.patch.com/articles/photo-gallery-zinnias-spring-art#photo-5682690
If the link doesn't work go to: www.southpasadena.patch.com

Pen Work Class this Saturday, April 16th

I'm happy to announce that I'll be teaching a fun NEW class this Saturday at Zinnia!

April 16^th Zinnia So Pasadena Pen Work 11:-3

Pen Work

Think Collage + Pen Work + Mixed Media Techniques+Composition+Design

This isn’t my pen class, more of a part two, a further way to explore layering with pens on the page. In this class, we will take our pen work to the next level. We will dive right in experimenting with writing ideas and techniques on quickly collaged pages. This class will not only teach you ways to use your pens, but also you will be working hands on with collage, as well. This is not a calligraphy class. Think more along the lines of guided hands on experimentation. You will learn to love your handwriting and to take it to a whole ‘nother level! (Note: My “Everything You Wanted to Know About Pens and More” class is not a prerequisite.)

Please bring your journal to class if you have one, or the instructor will be supplying paper for you to work on.

Supply list: journal (see above) Scissors, small selection of favorite collage ephemera, bone folder, cork back metal ruler, roll of waxed paper, roll of paper towels, permanent black inkpad, container to hold water, 1" brush to glue and paint (I like chip or bristle brushes) OR a few of your favorite glue sticks

Please phone the store at 626-441-2181 to sign up. Hope to see you there!

Spring Has Sprung At Zinnia

Tam and I were brainstorming about what to do with the window now that spring is here and Easter is around the corner. Out of the blue the idea of making a giant mushroom popped into our heads. So that began the making of the giant mushroom. The pictures below show the process at a glimpse. In reality the process took about a week; from starting the mushroom making , to the completion of the window featuring the “Giant Mushroom”.

We used a rice paper lamp shade from Ikea and a cylinder thingy to start. We added paper to a cylinder to create the stem and then covered the entire thing with casting tape. Tamara painted it about 101 times before she was satisfied. It was cool watching our customers come in and wonder what the heck we were up to as the whole thing took its shape. We decoupaged it with napkins and added some sparkle and wa-la, the giant mushroom came to life.

We spent most of Friday merchandising and fussing with the whole thing. We are pretty pleased with ourselves and hope you enjoy it. Magically, it glows at night and keeps Alley company; or the other way around. Hope to see you soon.