Just log onto www.toginet.com for a brand-new,

LIVE, 2-hour

Creative Mojo with Mark Lipinski!

3 pm -5 pm EST    2 pm – 4 pm CST 1 pm – 3 pm MST    12 pm – 2 pm PST

Call in anytime during the live show with your questions or comments for my guests

(877) 864-4869

*****************

CLICK HERE to join Mark’s FACEBOOK Fan Page!

CLICK HERE to follow Mark’s Twitter updates!

CLICK HERE to join Mark’s Pickle Road Studio Posse on Yahoo! 

* * * * * *

News from Mark!

This week’s news is pictorial:

1. Here’s Pickle Road, where Mark’s been taking rejuvenating walks and regaining his energy.

2. Here’s the awesome new banner for Mark Lipinski’s Fan Page on Facebook, where Mark’s renewed energy is manifesting in scads of fantastic craft inspirations!

3. And here’s Captain Cupcake himself, preparing to return right here to Creative Mojo on June 5th! Don’t miss it!!

“I’m going to ease back into Creative Mojo again on June 5th when Kidney Mary and I host the show together. We’ll take your questions and advice and will spend a lot of time giving you the blow by blow, plus some wonderful guests.  xoxom”

* * * * * *

MEET MY GUEST HOST

Writer, Quilter, Craft Shop Owner, Scrapbooker, Genealogist

NESSA REIFSNYDER

About NESSA…

Nessa is a memory artist, ranging across scrapbooking, small-scale quilting, decoupage, family history, and writing. She writes young-adult fiction, memoir essays, and poetry. She’s also written for various publications, including Mark Lipinski’s Christmas 365 and Mark Lipinski’s Fabric Trends. And she’s a pop culture maven who owns more than 5,000 vinyl LPs (K-Tels a specialty!) and collects 1960s/70s craft & design books, showbiz bios, Sears catalogs, and cookbooks. Nessa graduated from Bowdoin College dreaming of becoming a jazz deejay, but instead worked as a writer, designer, and editor for 22 years. She’s the proud mom of 4 children, ages 13 to 22, and the proud wife of Peter, a scientist who studies aging. Six male cats have the run of their house—and every Wednesday, while she’s taping Creative Mojo, Nessa needs a Production Assistant to keep the felines at bay!

Nessa co-owns Fabricate, a vibrant crafts shop on Mount Desert Island, Maine. She designs art quilts, scrapbooking papers and embellishments, and hopes to add textiles to this list soon.

CLICK HERE for Nessa’s website!

Nessa blogs HERE!

Nessa’s on TWITTER, FACEBOOK, and PINTEREST!

* * * * * *

MEET

Author, Columnist, Pop Culture Dissector

JAMES LILEKS

About JAMES…

James says, “Born Fargo ND, 1958. Lived in Minneapolis since 1976, with a four-year tour of duty in Washington DC. Presently I am: a columnist for the Star-Tribune. I’m the author of eight books, including The Gallery of Regrettable Food. Previously I was a columnist for the St. Paul Pioneer Press, City Pages, and the Minnesota Daily, and a talk radio host on KSTP AM-1500 in the 80s and the 90s. I wanted to be an architect. I am blessed with a talented daughter, a gorgeous wife, and a smart, if inordinately worried, dog.”

James’ website, lileks.com, is its own universe of nostalgic imagery delivered with sharp-eyed commentary…

James has two new books!

“James Lileks is a word magician, and GRAVEYARD SPECIAL is a unique and heady brew containing measures of Donald Westlake, Raymond Chandler, Richard Brautigan and something special that can only be called “Lilekian” –  which is a compliment of the highest order.  Readers will love this fiendishly clever romp through 1980’s Minneapolis.  There is a laugh on every page and a quotable line in every paragraph.” – -C.J. Box, New York Times Bestselling author of FORCE OF NATURE

CLICK HERE for James’ website!

CLICK HERE for the Gallery of Regrettable Food!

CLICK HERE for the Institute of Official Cheer!

James blogs HERE!

Find James’ books and products HERE!

James is on TWITTER, TUMBLR, YOUTUBE, and PINTEREST!

*******

MEET

Designer, Quilter, Crafter, Baker, Teacher

DEVON IOTT

About DEVON…

Devon Iott is an avid maker, baker and nature lover who teaches sewing classes at Sew LA in Los Angeles. She runs the popular website Miss Make, an online collection of tutorials and recipes that chronicles her addiction to making things. She also sells her own line of sewing patterns online. If she isn’t sewing she’s probably knitting, crocheting, or experimenting in the kitchen.

Feast on the fab, fun items that Miss Make makes:

CLICK HERE for Devon’s Miss Make website!

Miss Make’s shop is HERE!

Devon’s on FACEBOOK, TWITTER and INSTAGRAM!

*******

MEET

Quilter, Designer, Seamstress, Crafter

LEILA B

About LEILA…

Leila says, “Hi my name is Leila and I blog at Where the Orchids Grow.

It’s safe to say I love to sew! I learned to sew on an old Singer treadle that lived in my bedroom when I was a little girl. I started making quilts in 2004 when I was pregnant with my boy. I made three not so terrific quilts and quickly lost interest in the patterns and fabrics that were available to me at the time. That was until I discovered modern quilting blogs in 2010, I was so inspired I could not help but sew and quilt and sew some more. I haven’t stopped since!

I enjoy creating pretty things for every day use quilts, cushions, bags, a bit of garment sewing and much more. I love paper piecing, modern Japanese fabric designs, text fabrics mixed with florals, linen, vintage and Liberty. I’m most happy rummaging through my small stash pairing up stacks of impossible unusual fabric combinations. Occasionally I’ll venture out and do some crochet or knitting.”

Leila’s works are bright, texty, modern whimsy!

Leila blogs HERE!

CLICK HERE for Leila’s shop!

Leila is on FLICKR!

*******

MEET

Singer, Songwriter, Recording Producer

SLAU

About SLAU…

**************

And when your MOJO listening’s done. . .

If you’ve never used Auriful Thread. . .

. . .  then you haven’t really sewn!

Why not start off with my BASICS ?

Go to my web site to order YOUR collection — CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED.

Been Fly-ing Lately?

Your projects will soar with my new fabric line for Andover Fabrics, I CAN FLY!

Many thanks to Nessa Reifsnyder of Fabricate, for assistance with Mark Lipinski’s Blog!

Listen to a re-broadcast of all of my shows by CLICKING HERE.

You can also subscribe to Creative Mojo at iTunes.com!

Just log onto www.toginet.com for a brand-new,

LIVE, 2-hour

Creative Mojo with Mark Lipinski!

3 pm -5 pm EST    2 pm – 4 pm CST 1 pm – 3 pm MST    12 pm – 2 pm PST

Call in anytime during the live show with your questions or comments for my guests

(877) 864-4869

*****************

CLICK HERE to join Mark’s FACEBOOK Fan Page!

CLICK HERE to follow Mark’s Twitter updates!

CLICK HERE to join Mark’s Pickle Road Studio Posse on Yahoo! 

* * * * * *

Lotsa News from Mark!

7 weeks since my transplant! Here’s what’s been going on. Things have been progressing fairly nicely. There are have been a few uncomfortable stages in the healing process but all in all, I’m still the poster boy for transplantation. My twice weekly appointments at the hospital have been downgraded to 1 time per week (Tuesdays) until June when they will become one appointment every other week through July.

When Mary’s kidney was transplanted in me, nerves were cut (normal) and my right thigh and right side of my trunk were numb. Well, as I healed and about 3-4 weeks in, the nerves began to heal and created a painful, burning neuropathy from the ‘inside’. I ended up in bed for a week to ease the pain. I could have opted for drugs, but I hate taking anything so I opted for a suggestion from Kidney Mary and used a compression belt (and what fatty doesn’t love and adore a compression belt?). That didn’t get rid of the neuropathy but made it manageable. Compression was the way to go. I’m still wearing the belt but the neuropathy is getting better (I’m healing) and I have feeling back in my leg and trunk and now everything is super sensitive. I’ll continue with the belt until I feel better and back to normal, which may be awhile.

Last week, the doctor gave me permission to remove the mask in public but I’m still not allowed around crowds and I have to be very aware of who is around me, etc. I was getting a little creepy from being cooped up. My doc and nurse urged me to go out and I did. I began my daily walking again (I’m back up to an hour and almost where I left off before the operation). Then, I went shopping with a friend to a yarn store (empty), a rug hooking store (empty) and an antiques mall (just a couple of people in a huge space). I’m seeing people at my house and during my walks. I’m still not touching anyone! LOL

Today, after my appointment, I went to the mall (it was early, so no one was there). LIfe still isn’t 100% normal, I still need to watch myself around people and stay away from crowds (or be very vigilant if I’m around people) but I can be in public, maskless! Being allowed out, even in sparsely populated shops and areas has made a huge difference in my head. Walking has put some oxygen back in my blood – which feels so good. I’m back to deep, wonderful transcendental meditations. Little by little my world is coming back to normal.

Given all I’ve been through, THIS is the most worrisome and biggest pain in the ass: Vegetables! I have to wash every veggie I eat with a soap and water solution. I even have to wash bananas and oranges before I peel them. You can imagine what a butt pain my Green Go Go juice is to make – washing little pieces of kale and blueberries. So, I’ve been eating doughnuts and bread instead of veggies. That is my next hurdle. Overcoming my resistance to the veggie wash and my paranoia of possibly becoming contaminated. Sheesh.

Mary is doing well, We have walking dates. And she just returned from, what sounds like, the most fabulous trip to England to surprise her son, Alex! She is amazing.

Thank you for your continued cards, and gifts and sweet thoughts. I’m trying to belt out thank you notes, if I miss you, please let me know. I’m so disorganized now. I’m trying to get that in check as I become stronger. My office looks like the wreck of the Hespas. I keep stacking mail and stuff in there. It’ll take me a week to dig out! LOL

Oh, I’m going to ease back into Creative Mojo again on June 5 when Kidney Mary and I host the show together. We’ll take your questions and advice and will spend a lot of time giving you the blow by blow, plus some wonderful guests.  xoxom

* * * * * *

MEET MY GUEST HOST

Writer, Quilter, Craft Shop Owner, Scrapbooker, Genealogist

NESSA REIFSNYDER

About NESSA…

Nessa is a memory artist, ranging across scrapbooking, small-scale quilting, decoupage, family history, and writing. She writes young-adult fiction, memoir essays, and poetry. She’s also written for various publications, including Mark Lipinski’s Christmas 365 and Mark Lipinski’s Fabric Trends. And she’s a pop culture maven who owns more than 5,000 vinyl LPs (K-Tels a specialty!) and collects 1960s/70s craft & design books, showbiz bios, Sears catalogs, and cookbooks. Nessa graduated from Bowdoin College dreaming of becoming a jazz deejay, but instead worked as a writer, designer, and editor for 22 years. She’s the proud mom of 4 children, ages 13 to 22, and the proud wife of Peter, a scientist who studies aging. Six male cats have the run of their house—and every Wednesday, while she’s taping Creative Mojo, Nessa needs a Production Assistant to keep the felines at bay!

Nessa co-owns Fabricate, a vibrant crafts shop on Mount Desert Island, Maine. She designs art quilts, scrapbooking papers and embellishments, and hopes to add textiles to this list soon.

CLICK HERE for Nessa’s website!

Nessa blogs HERE!

Nessa’s on TWITTER, FACEBOOK, and PINTEREST!

* * * * * *

MEET

Game Designer, Knitter, Author, Teacher

MICHELLE MENARD

About MICHELLE…

Michelle says, “I’m a systems game designer by trade (previously at Zynga and Firaxis), a family board game designer, and freelance author. About 2 years ago I published my first book (Game Development with Unity), and I occasionally teach online. I also routinely speak at game conferences in Atlanta and Baltimore, such as SIEGE, DragonCon, and DEC.  Originally I hail from the heart of Cajun Country in Louisiana, but now I live up in Owings Mills with my husband James Coburn (no relation to the actor).

I first learned to knit from my grandmother back when I was 8 or so, but promptly forgot most things in a year or two. I didn’t seriously pick it back up again until sophomore year of college when I blew out my knee and found myself with a lot of sedentary time on my hands. Mountain climbing = evil.  Been knitting ever since, and then picked up spinning and crochet along the way.  Still suck at crochet.

In February, Zynga shut down our Baltimore office and laid off everyone who wouldn’t/couldn’t transfer to San Francisco.  After that, I founded Artemic Games where I’ve been working on publishing board games, and also revived my Etsy Store: Fiber Obsessions Firrerreo.  My Knit2Go Cards are a combined love affair between games and the fiber arts, and are published and sold through my Artemic site.”

Michelle’s Knit2Go cards cleverly merge play+knitspiration!

Michelle’s fibers are totally want-able…

CLICK HERE for Michelle’s games, including Knit2Go!

CLICK HERE for Michelle’s fibers!

Artemic Games is on FACEBOOK!

Firrerreo is on FACEBOOK!

*******

MEET

Musician, Songwriter, Playwright, Radio Host

LARRY KIRWAN

About LARRY…

Larry Kirwan is the leader, singer/guitarist and composer for the Irish-American rock band Black 47.  Black 47 has released thirteen CDs for both major and independent labels. The band has appeared on Leno, Letterman and O’Brien and been profiled in most major magazines and newspapers in the US.

He has written twelve plays and musicals, five of which are collected in the book Mad Angels.  Liverpool Fantasy, his best known play, has been produced Off-Broadway and at the Dublin Theatre Festival.

He has also written a novel version of Liverpool Fantasy (translated into Japanese, Spanish and Greek), and a memoir Green Suede Shoes.  Rockin’ The Bronx, his latest novel, was recently published in the US and UK.

Kirwan hosts and produces Celtic Crush for SiriusXM Satellite Radio and writes a weekly column for the Irish Echo. A political activist, he has long been involved in Irish and American causes.

His dramatic musical, Hard Times, with re-imagined versions of Stephen Foster songs, was the critical hit of the 2012 First Irish Theatre Festival and will re-open in the fall of 2013.

Larry performing with Black 47…

Larry’s latest play, Hard Times, is getting rave reviews!

CLICK HERE for Black 47′s website!

Larry blogs HERE!

Black 47′s upcoming tour dates are HERE!

Find Black 47′s music HERE!

Larry’s on FACEBOOK!

Black 47′s on FACEBOOK!

*******

MEET

Fashion Designer, Artist, Writer, Entrepreneur

ROBIN FATOR

About ROBIN…

Robin says, “I am a full time mom, wife, fashion designer, small business owner, artist, Etsy seller, blogger, occasional model, and Madonna lover. I currently live in Northern California with my family. I have an educational background in the visual arts, including photography and collage. My professional experience includes being a gallery director, vintage reseller, and a local arts council board member. I dream of expanding the Dark Pony Designs brand, living in New York, traveling the world, and having my own band!”

Robin’s fashions are feminine and assertive!

“The Gardenia Dress,” photo by Mackenzie Hughes

“The Dietrich” top hat, photo by Faith Cherisse Photography

“Lightning Strikes Twice” eco-felt earrings, photo by Jason Fator

“The Black on Black” 2-piece bustier tutu dress, photo by Jason Fator

“The French Sugar Bustier,” model and photo courtesy of Traci Hines

“The Dita” crochet gloves in black, photo by Mackenzie Hughes

Robin’s newest collection brings her style sense to bridalwear!

photos by Mackenzie Hughes

The Floor Length Tutu Skirt in Ivory

The Pearl Bustier in Ivory Lace

The 2-pc Bridal Ensemble in Ivory

The Knee Length Tutu in Champagne

The White Ruffled Bustier with the Floor Length Tutu Skirt in White

The Peaches and Cream Gown

The Peach Blossom Flower Crown

CLICK HERE for Robin’s Dark Pony Designs shop!

Robin blogs HERE!

Dark Pony Designs is on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and TUMBLR!

*******

MEET

Thrifty Seamstress and Designer

HOLLY RUNDLE

About HOLLY…

**************

And when your MOJO listening’s done. . .

If you’ve never used Auriful Thread. . .

. . .  then you haven’t really sewn!

Why not start off with my BASICS ?

Go to my web site to order YOUR collection — CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED.

Been Fly-ing Lately?

Your projects will soar with my new fabric line for Andover Fabrics, I CAN FLY!

Many thanks to Nessa Reifsnyder of Fabricate, for assistance with Mark Lipinski’s Blog!

Listen to a re-broadcast of all of my shows by CLICKING HERE.

You can also subscribe to Creative Mojo at iTunes.com!

Just log onto www.toginet.com for a brand-new,

LIVE, 2-hour

Creative Mojo with Mark Lipinski!

3 pm -5 pm EST    2 pm – 4 pm CST 1 pm – 3 pm MST    12 pm – 2 pm PST

Call in anytime during the live show with your questions or comments for my guests

(877) 864-4869

*****************

CLICK HERE to join Mark’s FACEBOOK Fan Page!

CLICK HERE to follow Mark’s Twitter updates!

CLICK HERE to join Mark’s Pickle Road Studio Posse on Yahoo! 

* * * * * *

News from Mark!

Here I am waiting for my weekly exam. Update to come–and lots of fun stuff, in the meantime, at Mark Lipinski’s Fan Page on Facebook. Thank you all, again, for the cards and letters and surprises and online support. I so, so appreciate it! xoxom

* * * * * *

MEET MY GUEST HOST

Writer, Quilter, Craft Shop Owner, Scrapbooker, Genealogist

NESSA REIFSNYDER

About NESSA…

Nessa is a memory artist, ranging across scrapbooking, small-scale quilting, decoupage, family history, and writing. She writes young-adult fiction, memoir essays, and poetry. She’s also written for various publications, including Mark Lipinski’s Christmas 365 and Mark Lipinski’s Fabric Trends. And she’s a pop culture maven who owns more than 5,000 vinyl LPs (K-Tels a specialty!) and collects 1960s/70s craft & design books, showbiz bios, Sears catalogs, and cookbooks. Nessa graduated from Bowdoin College dreaming of becoming a jazz deejay, but instead worked as a writer, designer, and editor for 22 years. She’s the proud mom of 4 children, ages 13 to 22, and the proud wife of Peter, a scientist who studies aging. Six male cats have the run of their house—and every Wednesday, while she’s taping Creative Mojo, Nessa needs a Production Assistant to keep the felines at bay!

Nessa co-owns Fabricate, a vibrant crafts shop on Mount Desert Island, Maine. She designs art quilts, scrapbooking papers and embellishments, and hopes to add textiles to this list soon.

Among the random things on Nessa’s mind this week:

1. The things we do for love…

2. Derby time…

3. Incomprehensible fonts…

And, from Nessa’s Bottomless Vinyl Vault…

CLICK HERE for Nessa’s website!

Nessa blogs HERE!

Nessa’s on TWITTER, FACEBOOK, and PINTEREST!

* * * * * *

MEET

Master Basketmaker, Teacher, Inspirer

GEORGE NEPTUNE

About GEORGE…

George Neptune is a member of the Passamaquoddy Tribe.  Currently the Museum Educator at the Abbe Museum in Bar Harbor, Maine, George has been making fancy baskets since he was four years old.  Taught by his grandmother, Molly Neptune Parker, 2012 National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellow, George uses traditional techniques and designs combined with his own sculpture-like creations to create contemporary pieces of art that are truly unique.  At 20 years old, George became the youngest person to be named a Master Basketmaker through the Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance.  He continues to pass the traditions of his family along to his Godson Logan (14 years old), and his youngest sister, Emma (9 years old).  George graduated from Dartmouth College in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater.

Some of George’s incredible, intricate basket designs…

George at work alongside his grandmother, Molly Neptune Parker…

CLICK HERE for the Abbe Museum’s website!

George is on FACEBOOK!

The Abbe Museum is on FACEBOOK!

*******

MEET

HIV/AIDS Educator, Videographer, Photographer, Indie Music Enthusiast

STEVE HOULDSWORTH

About STEVE…

Steve is currently the Program Manager of The BEACON Project at Saint Louis Effort for AIDS.  Funded by a matching grant from AIDS United, the BEACON Project is a multi-agency, innovative access to care program serving people living with HIV who have not received medical care in the previous 12 months.  The BEACON Project recently received a What’s Right With the Region award from Focus Saint Louis.  Steve presents workshops and seminars on HIV-related topics to a wide range of audiences.  He was chosen this year as the local presenter for a year-long seminar series sponsored nationally by the Black AIDS Institute and the HIV Prevention Trials Network.  He was previously a PxROAR fellow with AVAC: Global Advocacy for HIV Prevention.  He has also twice received the Community Educator Award from CROI, the premier research conference on HIV/AIDS.

In 2012, Steve and his husband, Graham Matthews, were named the best music fans in St. Louis by the Riverfront Times for their work documenting the local music scene in St. Louis.  Steve and Graham attend more than 100 local music performances annually.  Since 2009, they have taken tens of thousands of photographs and almost two thousand videos. Their pictures and videos have been used in promotional materials for bands and venues, in local media, and shared extensively via social media.  A 2010 graduate of the Community Arts Training Institute, Steve is also a grants panelist for the Regional Arts Commission and serves on Opera Theatre of Saint Louis’ Engagement and Inclusion Task Force.

Steve at work for The Beacon Project…

Steve and Graham are documenting a vibrant music scene!

CLICK HERE for The Beacon Project’s website!

Steve’s on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, YOUTUBE, and NEWSLE!

Read about Steve’s music documentary work HERE!

*******

MEET

Fused Glass Artist, Designer, Teacher, Marketing Expert

JILL TANENBAUM

About JILL…

Jill is a past Resident Artist at the Art Glass Center at Glen Echo (AGC), where she taught classes, hosted open studios, helped manage the gallery, and sold her work. She also was responsible for marketing the AGC and her graphics design and advertising firm designed the logo, brochure and website and built a database of over 1500 email contacts who received a monthly e-newsletter that she designed, wrote and photographed when she was a resident artist.

Jill started working with fused glass in 2002 at Glen Echo. Her work has been exhibited and for sale at Gallery Plan b in Washington, DC, The Glenview Mansion in Rockville, Glen Echo Popcorn Gallery, the Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo, the Belmont-Sewall House on Capitol Hill, Art & Sole at the Strathmore Hall in Bethesda, the Strathmore Winter show in the Mansion, the Ratner Museum in Bethesda, NIH, Progressions Salon in Rockville, IONA Gallery in Washington, DC, Huckleberry Fine Arts Gallery in Rockville, Weisser Glass in Kensington, MD, the Durant Arts Center in Alexandria, VA,  the Betty Mae Kramer Gallery and Music Room, and at the James Renwick Alliance day in Chevy Chase, MD.

Jill is a member of NCAGG (National Capital Arts Glass Guild), an organization of local glass artisans and The James Renwick Alliance. The James Renwick Alliance is an independent national nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing scholarship and education on contemporary American craft, to supporting activities directed toward this purpose, and to encouraging connoisseurship and collecting.

In November 2011, Jill built a fused glass studio in her home. In addition to exhibiting her glasswork, she designs glass commissions and teaches fused glass classes. Her website is www.creativeglassdesign.com. She has also taught fused glass at VisArts in Rockville, MD.

Jill has a BA in Studio Art from the State University College of Oneonta, NY and an MA in Publications Design from the University of Baltimore. She owns and operates an award winning marketing, advertising and graphic design firm since 1982 in Bethesda, Maryland. Clients have included the US Postal Service, AOL, Johns Hopkins University, Gallaudet University and NIH.

Jill has been a presenter at various branding conferences nationwide and taught branding and advertising at Johns Hopkins University graduate school where she wrote the curriculum. Her marketing and graphic design work has been published internationally.

Jill says, “My inspiration comes from many things including the many countries I have visited around the world, especially third world countries including Uganda, Morocco, Tanzania, Mexico and many more. I am particularly drawn to African art, and especially faces. I love using interesting color combinations and mixing opaque with transparent glass and sometimes incorporating other mediums like beads, feathers, swarvski crystals, fusible paper, glass rods and beads and buttons. I also design transfer work using photos, graphic images, words, invitations, sheet music, or practically anything. These make GREAT gifts.”

Jill’s beautiful glasswork is beguiling!

CLICK HERE for Jill’s website!

*******

MEET

Educators, Labor Advocates

ANDI SOSIN and JOEL SOSINSKY

[returning to finish our interview from last week!]

About ANDI…

**************

And when your MOJO listening’s done. . .

If you’ve never used Auriful Thread. . .

. . .  then you haven’t really sewn!

Why not start off with my BASICS ?

Go to my web site to order YOUR collection — CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED.

Been Fly-ing Lately?

Your projects will soar with my new fabric line for Andover Fabrics, I CAN FLY!

Many thanks to Nessa Reifsnyder of Fabricate, for assistance with Mark Lipinski’s Blog!

Listen to a re-broadcast of all of my shows by CLICKING HERE.

You can also subscribe to Creative Mojo at iTunes.com!

Just log onto www.toginet.com for a brand-new,

LIVE, 2-hour

Creative Mojo with Mark Lipinski!

3 pm -5 pm EST    2 pm – 4 pm CST 1 pm – 3 pm MST    12 pm – 2 pm PST

Call in anytime during the live show with your questions or comments for my guests

(877) 864-4869

*****************

CLICK HERE to join Mark’s FACEBOOK Fan Page!

CLICK HERE to follow Mark’s Twitter updates!

CLICK HERE to join Mark’s Pickle Road Studio Posse on Yahoo! 

* * * * * *

News from Mark!

So late last week, I met with the surgeon who doesn’t seem to be all that alarmed about the abdominal pain I’ve been feeling. He seems to think that what I am experiencing is either a muscle strain and/or regeneration of cut nerves to cause a form of neuropathy. He wants me to just take it easy and keep my eye on it.

As it stands, he was not the least bit worried about my creatinine levels inching upward. If they continue to go up, I will have to have an ultrasound and if there is fluid building around the kidney–which is not all that uncommon–I would need a minor operation to release the fluid. So no news is good news, I guess. Thank you all, again, for the cards and letters and surprises and online support. I so, so appreciate it! xoxom

* * * * * *

MEET MY GUEST HOST

Writer, Quilter, Craft Shop Owner, Scrapbooker, Genealogist

NESSA REIFSNYDER

About NESSA…

Nessa is a memory artist, ranging across scrapbooking, small-scale quilting, decoupage, family history, and writing. She writes young-adult fiction, memoir essays, and poetry. She’s also written for various publications, including Mark Lipinski’s Christmas 365 and Mark Lipinski’s Fabric Trends. And she’s a pop culture maven who owns more than 5,000 vinyl LPs (K-Tels a specialty!) and collects 1960s/70s craft & design books, showbiz bios, Sears catalogs, and cookbooks. Nessa graduated from Bowdoin College dreaming of becoming a jazz deejay, but instead worked as a writer, designer, and editor for 22 years. She’s the proud mom of 4 children, ages 13 to 22, and the proud wife of Peter, a scientist who studies aging. Six male cats have the run of their house—and every Wednesday, while she’s taping Creative Mojo, Nessa needs a Production Assistant to keep the felines at bay!

Nessa co-owns Fabricate, a vibrant crafts shop on Mount Desert Island, Maine.

Among the random things on Nessa’s mind this week:

1. Microwave ovens…

2. Plungers?!

And, from Nessa’s Bottomless Vinyl Vault…

CLICK HERE for Nessa’s website!

Nessa’s on TWITTER, FACEBOOK, and PINTEREST!

* * * * * *

MEET

Fashion and Fair-Trade Entrepreneur

WENDY CLEVELAND

About WENDY…

Wendy says, “My background is in international trade.  I’m an attorney and licensed Customs broker.  I worked for 15 years in the Customs and Export compliance field for a high tech company and then for an energy company.

In April of last year, I left my job to pursue a patent for a new handbag design and to begin working with marginalized artisans around the world.  I wanted to make a difference both with the sustainable design of our bag and also by plugging fair trade work into the design.  I knew something about manufacturing but very little about the fashion accessories/ sewn products markets, so the past year has been a huge learning experience for me!

Our product is a patent-pending handbag featuring interchangeable, machine-washable (greensleeves™) exteriors over a lightweight semi-rigid (plastic) handbag interior.  This functionality enables customers to machine-wash or replace a handbag exterior instead of tossing a dirty or tired bag in a landfill.  Our exteriors are currently available in six colors – each color reverses to black for double the number of looks.

Our pora bags also feature interchangeable, reversible decorative bands crafted by artisans in developing countries around the world.  The bands utilize a simple design that empowers marginalized artisans to independently design and create handwork that ties in easily to our bags. We’re currently working with artisans in Cambodia, China, Guatemala, Mongolia, Palestine, and Ukraine – with new partnerships developing in India and Africa.  Our goal is to expand to all countries where marginalized artisans exist.  We believe this first-of-its-kind collaboration between artisans and traditional manufacturing opens the door to enormous opportunity for mainstreaming and accelerating fair trade.”

Artisans all over the world are crafting beautiful embellishments for pora bags!

pora bags have so many different looks! Here’s a few of them…

CLICK HERE for the pora bags website!

CLICK HERE for a “lookbook” of pora designs!

pora bags is on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, YOUTUBE, and PINTEREST!

*******

MEET

Quilter, Artist, Memoirist

GLENDA PENNER

About GLENDA…

Glenda says, “Creating is both a joyfully solitary pursuit and a kindred connectedness like nothing else. I’m so thankful to have inherited an inclination to create and to have been raised by parents who gave great value to unstructured time; and who fanned the flames of passion for working with my hands and heart. Because of this very practical upbringing, it never occurred to me that there was anything I couldn’t try. Therefore, I drew and painted, stitched and quilted my way into adulthood.

I began a blog four years ago intending to review books, and unexpectedly discovered a love of writing. Seeing life as a continuing story, as something to share with others, to laugh and ponder, has always been a part of my life, and became even more pronounced when my elderly parents moved in with us a number of years ago. Telling stories was a way to connect my father to the larger world as his own diminished; to entertain my family around the supper table. Writing has fostered such a sense of gratitude, gratitude for all of the gifts of life; connectedness, belonging, beauty, purpose.

There are so many sources of joy in my life; the love of God and family and friends and all things creative.”

Glenda’s works celebrate the natural world… 

For the work below, Glenda adapted her own painting [inset] into a quilt…

Glenda writes evocative essays about treasured family photos…

CLICK HERE for Glenda’s blog!

Glenda’s on PINTEREST!

*******

MEET

Actor, Musician, Voiceover Artist, Radio Host

ROBBIE RIST

About ROBBIE…

Robbie Rist has been a multi-hyphenate since childhood. From playing piano and violin at 3 to his first acting job at 6 to even directing his first movie at 7, Robbie knew that he liked entertainment. All of it. He has been part of successful television series’ (Brady Bunch, Kidd Video, Galactica 1980, Naruto, and currently the voice of Stuffy in Disney Jr.’s wildly successful Doc McStuffins), movies (Iron Eagle as well as the voice of Michaelangelo in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle films) and radio (over 600 radio spots and counting).

He has also enjoyed a successful music career as front man for 90s pop/punk progenitors Wonderboy, guitarist and singer for power pop sensations The Andersons!, as well as producer and recording engineer for 70s teen heartthrobs (and Avril Levigne copyright challengers) The Rubinoos, and Spanish pop gods Suzy and Los Quattro.

Robbie is a proud resident of the Los Angeles area (or, as he says, “Los Angeleno by birth, San Fernando Valley by the grace of God”) and believes everyone who thinks people from Los Angeles are jerks have only talked to the morons who move there and think they “have to act all L.A.”.

Get Robbie’s music HERE and HERE!

Robbie’s radio show, The Spoon, is on FACEBOOK!

Doc McStuffins is on FACEBOOK!

Robbie’s on TWITTER!

*******

MEET

Educators, Labor Advocates

ANDI SOSIN and JOEL SOSINSKY

About ANDI…

**************

And when your MOJO listening’s done. . .

If you’ve never used Auriful Thread. . .

. . .  then you haven’t really sewn!

Why not start off with my BASICS ?

Go to my web site to order YOUR collection — CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED.

Been Fly-ing Lately?

Your projects will soar with my new fabric line for Andover Fabrics, I CAN FLY!

Many thanks to Nessa Reifsnyder of Fabricate, for assistance with Mark Lipinski’s Blog!

Listen to a re-broadcast of all of my shows by CLICKING HERE.

You can also subscribe to Creative Mojo at iTunes.com!

Just log onto www.toginet.com for a brand-new,

LIVE, 2-hour

Creative Mojo with Mark Lipinski!

3 pm -5 pm EST    2 pm – 4 pm CST 1 pm – 3 pm MST    12 pm – 2 pm PST

Call in anytime during the live show with your questions or comments for my guests

(877) 864-4869

*****************

CLICK HERE to join Mark’s FACEBOOK Fan Page!

CLICK HERE to follow Mark’s Twitter updates!

CLICK HERE to join Mark’s Pickle Road Studio Posse on Yahoo! 

* * * * * *

News from Mark!

Had a checkup on 4/23…my creatinine levels are slightly elevated, I’m having some mild pain (feels muscular around the bottom part of the incision) and the physician is being very vigilant. More tests on Thursday and Friday. I’m a little worried but my temps and blood pressure are perfect and I feel OK .. just a little tired). From now until the tests, they want me to force liquids, relax and lay low. (See?! >> I’m doing it! In a Hello-Kitty-pink mug, of course!)

Don’t forget to pick up CURVY, my latest quilt pattern, in the current issue of LOVE OF QUILTING magazine (May/June 2013)! I used Andover Fabrics, Aurifil Threads and the Simple Curves Ruler from Phillips Fiber Art. I hope you like it! xoxom

* * * * * *

MEET MY GUEST HOST

Writer, Quilter, Craft Shop Owner, Scrapbooker, Genealogist

NESSA REIFSNYDER

About NESSA…

Nessa is a memory artist, ranging across scrapbooking, small-scale quilting, decoupage, family history, and writing. She writes young-adult fiction, memoir essays, and poetry. She’s also written for various publications, including Mark Lipinski’s Christmas 365 and Mark Lipinski’s Fabric Trends. And she’s a pop culture maven who owns more than 5,000 vinyl LPs (K-Tels a specialty!) and collects 1960s/70s craft & design books, showbiz bios, Sears catalogs, and cookbooks. Nessa graduated from Bowdoin College dreaming of becoming a jazz deejay, but instead worked as a writer, designer, and editor for 22 years. She’s the proud mom of 4 children, ages 13 to 22, and the proud wife of Peter, a scientist who studies aging. Six male cats have the run of their house—and every Wednesday, while she’s taping Creative Mojo, Nessa needs a Production Assistant to keep the felines at bay!

Nessa co-owns Fabricate, a vibrant crafts shop on Mount Desert Island, Maine. Fabricate’s been a busy place this month, hosting hundreds of Hoppers taking part in the Maine Shop Hop. And as vacation visitors begin to arrive, Fabricate’s scrapbooking room will be hopping, too! With those visitors in mind, Nessa designed her first set of 12×12 scrapbooking papers, “Vacationland,” which is sold under the Fabricate brand name. She’s working on six more double-sided sheets, plus embellishments. “Maine is such a visually memorable state,” she says, “and after years of writing about it, it’s really fun to be capturing its scenic places in a visual media, to help crafters commemorate their time here.”

Among the random things on Nessa’s mind this week:

1. A very specific shade of green…

2. Science students reaching for the stars (literally!)

And, from Nessa’s Bottomless Vinyl Vault…

CLICK HERE for Nessa’s website!

Nessa’s on TWITTER, FACEBOOK, and PINTEREST!

* * * * * *

MEET

Architect, Writer, Teacher

KAY STEVENS ROSA

About KAY…

Kay Stevens Rosa and her spouse, Augusto Rosa, have been practicing architecture together for almost a quarter century since meeting in Barcelona, where he was working on his architectural doctorate and she was working on projects for the Barcelona Olympics. Kay somehow convinced Augusto that Maine is the place to be, and twenty-one “winters” later, the pair still delights in serving the diverse clients that seek out their firm, A4 Architects, for innovative and unique design solutions.

In their spare time, they love to travel and spend time with their four children (their best unpublished work). Kay also enjoys writing, mentoring students and serving as a Director of AIA Maine, while Augusto is an accomplished artist, photographer and gourmet cook.

Look at Kay’s sumptuous design work!

CLICK HERE for Kay’s website!

Kay’s on FACEBOOK!

*******

MEET

Artist, Quilter 

DEB HYDE

About DEB…

Deb Hyde has been developing and creating her own original quilts for over 10 years. She says of her art, ”I represent the figure in the medium of fiber in the quilting tradition. The process is time-consuming, precise and restricting — it forces me to concentrate on bold form and intense color and forego the extraneous. Each artwork consists of thousands of one inch squares of fabric, painstakingly placed, stitched together and finally quilted. Hundreds of hours go into their formulation. My inspiration comes from ads, photographs I take myself, or my own life drawing sketches. I am the sole creator of each piece, starting with drawing and watercolor sketches, to the actual creation, sewing and quilting. No computers are used in this process.

The last 12 years have been an interesting journey from a lifelong avocation of creating art with paper, pencil, charcoal, canvas and paint, to the new medium of fiber. Actually, fiber is not really new to me as I have always had an interest in sewing for fashion and home decor. But to think of fiber as an art medium was really the first step to what has now become a passion to create something original out of a fundamental American craft. Most art has two important characteristics: The artist must have a vision of what he/she wants to create that is compelling both to themselves as creators and to the audience for which it is intended, and secondly, he/she must have the technical skill to execute that vision. I think about both of these issues as I go about my process of creation. I spend a lot of time thinking and imagining what I want to depict because it has to hold my attention for many, many hours. The process or technique of placing each bit of fabric, sewing, quilting and finishing, is the execution of that vision.

I find that the juxtaposition of contemporary, figurative subjects paired with a very traditional form of quilting — after all, there is nothing more basic than sewing squares of commercially available material together and then quilting them — leads to interesting and beautiful images.”

“Deb Hyde: Sunshine and Shadow,” opens Monday, April 29 at The ArtQuilt Gallery in New York City: 133 West 25th Street, between 6th & 7th Avenues. On display through June 8.

If you’re in the area, go go go!

A FEW OF DEB’S PAST EXHIBITIONS (* DENOTES AWARD)

• Oakland County Juried Art Show, Pontiac, MI, 2000*, 2005*
• Pacific International Quilt Show, Santa Clara, California, 2002
• Art of the Quilt, Novi Expo Ctr., Novi, MI, 2003*
• “The Body Eclectic” Juried Show, Lawrence Street Gallery, 2005*
• Solo Show, Arthaus, Rochester, Michigan, 2006
• Gallery 194, Solo Show, Lapeer, MI, 2007
• “Strut Magazine”, Cover Art, July 2008
• Greater Michigan Art Exhibition, Midland, MI 2012*
• Our Town Juried Exhibition, Birmingham, MI 2012*
• Michigan Great Artist Competition, 2012*
• Boca Raton Museum of Art Festival, 2013*
• LaQuinta Art Festival, CA, 2013*

Deb’s works amaze, even as they draw us into their intimacy…

Bodyscape (detail below)

Pink Dress

John in Sunshine and Shadow (detail below)

Sunlight and Shadow Girl (detail below)

Profile in Grey on Green (detail below)

Floating Nude (detail below)

Neck Study (detail below)

Male  (detail below)

Deb sent us a series of images that depict her painstaking, gradual creative process!

CLICK HERE for Deb’s website!

CLICK HERE for The ArtQuilt Gallery’s website!

Deb is on FACEBOOK!

*******

MEET

Artists, Crafters, Designers, Mom + Daughter

DONNA and GENNA SALAZAR

About DONNA…

**************

And when your MOJO listening’s done. . .

If you’ve never used Auriful Thread. . .

. . .  then you haven’t really sewn!

Why not start off with my BASICS ?

Go to my web site to order YOUR collection — CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED.

Been Fly-ing Lately?

Your projects will soar with my new fabric line for Andover Fabrics, I CAN FLY!

Many thanks to Nessa Reifsnyder of Fabricate, for assistance with Mark Lipinski’s Blog!

Listen to a re-broadcast of all of my shows by CLICKING HERE.

You can also subscribe to Creative Mojo at iTunes.com!

Just log onto www.toginet.com for a brand-new,

LIVE, 2-hour

Creative Mojo with Mark Lipinski!

3 pm -5 pm EST    2 pm – 4 pm CST 1 pm – 3 pm MST    12 pm – 2 pm PST

Call in anytime during the live show with your questions or comments for my guests

(877) 864-4869

*****************

CLICK HERE to join Mark’s FACEBOOK Fan Page!

CLICK HERE to follow Mark’s Twitter updates!

CLICK HERE to join Mark’s Pickle Road Studio Posse on Yahoo! 

* * * * * *

News from Mark (& Mary)!

Today makes three weeks since my kidney transplant. This morning I went to the hospital to have my staples removed which I was dreading. As it turns out I barely felt a thing. It was nothing. No pain, no discomfort, it’s all good.

I am officially off all high blood pressure medications and we are gradually upping one of my antirejection medications, the one that I had a bad reaction to. I am anticipating smooth sailing.

The staff continues to tell me that I am the poster boy for a successful transplant. That is not to say that if I am not careful, that I could find myself in trouble so… I am going to stop bitching and follow the rules to a tee. That means no visitors, no shopping and running around, still getting a lot of rest and taking good care of myself and my body.
I am going to start distance walking again to increase my energy. I still feel quite tired most of the time. I need to get some real oxygen into these lungs.
Mary is doing just fine. She developed a little bit of a sinus infection and is on the mend. Kidney-wise, and anything having to do with the surgery, she is A-OK, thank goodness!

On the design front, check out my newest scrappy quilt, CURVY! You can pick up this quilt pattern in the current issue of LOVE OF QUILTING magazine (May/June 2013)! I used Andover Fabrics, Aurifil Threads and the Simple Curves Ruler from Phillips Fiber Art. I hope you like it! xoxom

* * * * * *

MEET MY GUEST HOST

Writer, Quilter, Craft Shop Owner, Scrapbooker, Genealogist

NESSA REIFSNYDER

About NESSA…

Nessa is a memory artist, ranging across scrapbooking, small-scale handsewn quilting, decoupage, family history, and writing. She writes young-adult fiction, memoir essays, and poetry. She’s also written for various publications, including Mark Lipinski’s Christmas 365 and Mark Lipinski’s Fabric Trends. And she’s a pop culture maven who owns more than 5,000 vinyl LPs (K-Tels a specialty!) and collects 1960s/70s craft & design books, showbiz bios, Sears catalogs, and cookbooks. Nessa graduated from Bowdoin College dreaming of becoming a jazz deejay, but instead worked as a writer, designer, and editor for 22 years. Nessa co-owns Fabricate, a vibrant crafts shop on Mount Desert Island, Maine. “Fabricate opened on August 15, 2008,” she says, ”and on that very first day (unbeknownst to us!) the Quilter Magazine’s Cruise for a Cure ship docked in our home port of Bar Harbor. Nearly sixty customers (and lots of encouragement!) later, we knew we’d made the right choice.”

Among the random things on Nessa’s mind this week:

1. ♥Boston…

2. When Fashion had Mojo…

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

3. Junk Food Bulletin!

Then, from Nessa’s Bottomless Vinyl Vault…

CLICK HERE for Nessa’s website!

Nessa’s on TWITTER, FACEBOOK, and PINTEREST!

* * * * * *

MEET

Quilter, Longarmer, Graphic Designer, Author 

REBECCA SILBAUGH

About REBECCA…

With a background in graphic design, Rebecca thought she would be an artist growing up. Little did she know about the quirks of professional artistry and left her field to spend more time at her mom’s quilt shop, Cottonpicker’s Quilt Shop in Chardon, OH. The quilt shop seemed just like fun at first, but over time the designs began to evolve and the fabrics grabbed her in their clutches. She turned into a quilter and hasn’t looked back since.

Rebecca started designing and designing quilts and published her first pattern in the Fall of 2009 with her new company Ruby Blue Quilting Studio. Many more patterns have been published since and several designs also appeared on the Moda Bake Shop in the following years. Since then, Rebecca has broadened her horizons and began a long arm quilting division of her business as well as published her first book, Seamingly Scrappy. Rebecca applied her love of scrappy quilts with precuts and combined all of that with the tips and tricks she has been giving to customers through the years working in the quilt shop for a jam packed book!

To learn more about Rebecca, visit her blog where you’ll find more quilts, recipes, tutorials, and the occasional dog or squirrel picture at rubybluequilts.blogspot.com.

Scrappiness is…Rebecca’s new book!

Sew many ideas for vibrant scraps…

And take a gander at Rebecca’s longarming talents…

CLICK HERE for Rebecca’s website and blog!

CLICK HERE to buy Rebecca’s book!

Buy Rebecca’s patterns HERE!

Rebecca’s on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, and FLICKR!

*******

MEET

Jewelry Designer, Bead Shop Owner, Vintage Lucite Lover 

HEATHER DeSIMONE

About HEATHER…

Heather DeSimone has been putting together random parts & calling it jewelry since she was small.  She has been co-owner of The Beadin’ Path, a jewelry supply company with a focus on vintage goods, since 1993.  Her jewelry designs have been published in loads of fun places.  You can find her repurposed vintage lucite goods at Leetie Lovendale.com.  She lives in Maine with her 2 young boys, 2 cats, a dog Lola and her beau of 20 years, Chris.

Heather’s heavenly haven of beautimous beads!

Heather’s also producing a new local artisan market venue in southern Maine!

CLICK HERE for The Beadin’ Path website!

CLICK HERE for the Leetie Lovendale website!

CLICK HERE for the Maine Markets website!

The Beadin’ Path is on FACEBOOK & TWITTER!

Leetie Lovendale is on FACEBOOK & TWITTER!

*******

MEET

Soap Opera Expert, Journalist, Talk Show Host

DAN J. KROLL

About DAN…

Dan J. Kroll is the owner and founder of soapcentral.com, the Internet’s most popular destination for soap opera news and information.

Dan initially became interested in soaps while attending high school with a performer on All My Children. Though he only planned to watch for a few days to see how his friend fared, Dan became and has been watching ever since. While attending Temple University, where he studied medicine, Dan created a personal web page that would become soapcentral.com, a site that now boasts over 30 million pageviews per month.

In 2010, Dan launched Soap Central Live, an online radio program on the Voice America Talk Radio network. Like its website counterpart, the show quickly rocketed in popularity and became the premiere destination for celebrity interviews.

A sports fan, Dan roots for the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies, and the Temple Owls men’s and women’s basketball teams. Dan’s wide-ranging hobbies include tennis, mini-golf, photography, cooking, and sharing laughs with friends.

Dan lends his support to various animal conservation projects, including the Philadelphia Zoo and the National Aquarium in Baltimore. In the past ten years, soapcentral.com has donated more than $75,000 to various charities.

Dan resides in Philadelphia with the world’s cutest rabbit and more fish than he can count.

Dan interviewing Emmy winner Gina Tognoni (ex-Dinah, Guiding Light; ex-Kelly Cramer, One Life to Live)

Dan and I are dishing about a trio of classic soaps…

**************

And when your MOJO listening’s done. . .

If you’ve never used Auriful Thread. . .

. . .  then you haven’t really sewn!

Why not start off with my BASICS ?

Go to my web site to order YOUR collection — CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED.

Been Fly-ing Lately?

Your projects will soar with my new fabric line for Andover Fabrics, I CAN FLY!

Many thanks to Nessa Reifsnyder of Fabricate, for assistance with Mark Lipinski’s Blog!

Listen to a re-broadcast of all of my shows by CLICKING HERE.

You can also subscribe to Creative Mojo at iTunes.com!

Just log onto www.toginet.com for a brand-new,

LIVE, 2-hour

Creative Mojo with Mark Lipinski!

3 pm -5 pm EST    2 pm – 4 pm CST 1 pm – 3 pm MST    12 pm – 2 pm PST

Call in anytime during the live show with your questions or comments for my guests

(877) 864-4869

*****************

CLICK HERE to join Mark’s FACEBOOK Fan Page!

CLICK HERE to follow Mark’s Twitter updates!

CLICK HERE to join Mark’s Pickle Road Studio Posse on Yahoo! 

* * * * * *

EXTRA! EXTRA! Health Update!!

Home again, home again! It’s been two full weeks since my kidney transplant (can you believe it?!) I’m starting to feel like my old self (not that that’s a good thing! LOL).

As a treat for not screaming loudly enough to frighten the other patients, Mr. Electric just bought me 12 Klondike’s!

I was cleared to take my first shower in two weeks yesterday. It felt great! The hospital called on Monday after my blood work to adjust one of my meds. So I’m taking a slightly smaller dose. Looks like Mary’s kidney is doing the trick and, for the first time in 30 years, I do not have high blood pressure and am being taken from my blood pressure tablets. !!!

The drainage ball that had been inserted in my side was removed Monday without a hitch (although I could feel it moving deep inside of my body, there was no real feeling near the very tiny incision). I’ve just got a bandaid on it now. I was able to sleep on my side for the first time since the transplant!

The team also told me that I am probably ready to start driving again (although I’m not allowed near groups of people, LOL…one visitor at a time — and sparingly at that). Large incision staples come out next week.

And best of all, the urethral stent is now only a faint memory! It took all of 30 seconds to remove but it was the most intense, wild feeling I’ve ever experienced! Like pain and pleasure and orgasm and gonorrhea… LOL. Just totally, totally weird. That said, I am so happy that it is over!

Thank you everybody for asking how I’m doing, and for all of the cards, letters and gifties! xoxom

* * * * * *

MEET MY GUEST HOST

Writer, Quilter, Craft Shop Owner, Scrapbooker, Genealogist

NESSA REIFSNYDER

About NESSA…

Nessa is a memory artist, ranging across scrapbooking, small-scale handsewn quilting, decoupage, family history, and writing. She writes young-adult fiction, memoir essays, and poetry. She’s also written for various publications, including Mark Lipinski’s Christmas 365 and Mark Lipinski’s Fabric Trends. And she’s a pop culture maven who owns more than 5,000 vinyl LPs (K-Tels a specialty!) and collects 1960s/70s craft & design books, showbiz bios, Sears catalogs, and cookbooks. Nessa graduated from Bowdoin College dreaming of becoming a jazz deejay, but instead worked as a writer, designer, and editor for 22 years. Nessa co-owns Fabricate, a vibrant crafts shop on Mount Desert Island, Maine. “Fabricate opened on August 15, 2008,” she says, ”and on that very first day (unbeknownst to us!) the Quilter Magazine’s Cruise for a Cure ship docked in our home port of Bar Harbor. Nearly sixty customers (and lots of encouragement!) later, we knew we’d made the right choice.”

Among the random things on Nessa’s mind this week:

1. Pride and glee…

2. Supercouple 4E…

3. What will she…

…do to these?!

Plus, from Nessa’s Bottomless Vinyl Vault…

(Who are these guys?)

CLICK HERE for Nessa’s website!

Nessa’s on TWITTER, FACEBOOK, and PINTEREST!

* * * * * *

MEET

Quilter, Designer, Entrepreneur, Author 

CHERYL BROWN

About CHERYL…

Cheryl Brown started her creative life as a commercial interior designer, where she worked with colors, textures and fabric. She started quilting around 20 years ago, when a sweet baby boy came into her family, and later a sweet baby girl, and she needed a creative outlet.

She worked for a local quilt shop for several years, where she learned how to machine quilt. She bought her own long-arm machine and opened her own business, QuilterChic in 2006, when she also started designing quilts. This is Cheryl’s second book. Her first book was “Fresh and Fabulous Quilts,” also published by Martingale & Co.

Cheryl lives in Centerville, Utah, with her husband, Neil, and her two children, Adrian and Natalie. She also has two little kitties, Twinkie and Zinger, that keep life interesting!

Cheryl’s latest book will bring out the batik in you!

It’s easy to see why batiks are so popular–they’re beautiful! And this collection of fabulous patterns can help you make the most of these richly colorful quilt fabrics.

• Choose from 12 inspiring, traditional projects, each with a suggested quilting design
• Discover new ways to show off batiks or other favorite fabrics in quilts using precut strips, fat quarters, and/or yardage
• Learn fascinating tidbits about batik fabrics, including their history, waxing and dyeing techniques, colorways, and more

Color pops, blends, and blossoms in Cheryl’s designs…

CLICK HERE for Cheryl’s website!

CLICK HERE for Cheryl’s book (and a nifty video tute!)

Cheryl’s on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, and TWITTER!

*******

MEET

Singer, Songwriter, Musician, Bandleader

ARI SHAGAL

About ARI…

Unbeknownst to the world, Todd Rundgren and Laura Nyro had a secret daughter, Ari Shagal. Okay, so maybe Ari’s parents aren’t literally Todd and Laura, but musically speaking, they might as well be! She grew up to be as wacky, comedic, and as immune to musical categorization as her father, while her pianistic style, vocal range, and physical appearance clearly indicated who her mother was. And, like both her parents, she became a composer, a lyricist, and a public eccentric! These days, Ari leads a NYC band called the Summarily Dismissed, which includes lead vocalists Matthew Lomeo and Ferima Faye. The band’s initials are S.D., just like Steely Dan; that’s no accident!

The Summarily Dismissed released their debut CD in 2012:

There was Ari, in New York, ready to parade her bizarrely eclectic work before the ears of the listening public . . . but, in order to do so, she needed the right vocalists. Well, she lucked out, big time, when she happened upon the golden soprano voice of Ferima Faye, a native New Yorker whose incredible vocal talents are rivaled only by her incredibly creative and visionary fashion design; and Matthew Lomeo, a soulful baritone whose raw, magnetic voice continually made his native town of Utica sit bolt upright and shake its collective booty. Together, these three whippersnappers teamed up with producer and guitarist Joe Davi (known for his work with Ne-Yo, Mya, and Jay-Z), bassist Pat O’Leary (a member of Bob Dorough’s trio), and drummer Eric Halvorson (a frequent member of Ute Lemper’s touring ensemble). The resulting album, To Each!, also features an appearance by the illustrious jazz vocalist Kenny Washington, whose talents are incredible beyond description, in addition to conga and bongo work by percussionist Nydia Mata, who was, for many years, a constant member of Laura Nyro’s band.

CLICK HERE for Ari’s website!

Ari is on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, and SPOTIFY!

To Each! is available on iTunes!

*******

MEET

Artist, Art History Professor, Rock Climber, Boulderer, Author

PETER BEAL

About PETER…

**************

And when your MOJO listening’s done. . .

If you’ve never used Auriful Thread. . .

. . .  then you haven’t really sewn!

Why not start off with my BASICS ?

Go to my web site to order YOUR collection — CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED.

Been Fly-ing Lately?

Your projects will soar with my new fabric line for Andover Fabrics, I CAN FLY!

Many thanks to Nessa Reifsnyder of Fabricate, for assistance with Mark Lipinski’s Blog!

Listen to a re-broadcast of all of my shows by CLICKING HERE.

You can also subscribe to Creative Mojo at iTunes.com!

Just log onto www.toginet.com for a brand-new,

LIVE, 2-hour

Creative Mojo with Mark Lipinski!

3 pm -5 pm EST    2 pm – 4 pm CST 1 pm – 3 pm MST    12 pm – 2 pm PST

Call in anytime during the live show with your questions or comments for my guests

(877) 864-4869

*****************

CLICK HERE to join Mark’s FACEBOOK Fan Page!

CLICK HERE to follow Mark’s Twitter updates!

CLICK HERE to join Mark’s Pickle Road Studio Posse on Yahoo! 

* * * * * *

EXTRA! EXTRA! Kidney Update!!

Hey, cupcakes! Kidney Mary and I finally had our surgeries on Tuesday, March 26th!

The team nephrologist told me that Mary and I are the “poster children” for a successful transplant, both physically and with our positive attitudes.

Mary and I recovered with the warmth of lovingly made quilts. (Thank you and xoxo to all the block-makers!!)

I went home Saturday…just in time for Easter.

It’s been a rough few days but it looks like I’m finally off prednisone (and the emotional roller coaster that came with that) and haven’t needed pain management or Oxycodone in well over 30-hours (I loathe that detached feeling). I’m still a bit uncomfortable with a foot-long incision still held together with staples and with a fluid-gathering port still sticking out of my side. Smells are grossing me out — any kind of smell, but most especially sweet soapy, perfumed, scents. Food doesn’t taste quite right and I’m craving odd things like Eggos and Fish Sticks (neither of which I’ve ever had a fondness for).

Naively, I really thought that I’d be up and about and stitching, sketching, writing, and back to business as usual by now. I hate being kept down. I guess healing will take time and I need to try to stop controlling it. I’ve been given a second chance. I don’t want to waste a second of it. Love to you all, cupcakes. I can’t tell you what just knowing that you were all out there in cyber-land has meant to me. xoxom

P.S. Just heard from Mary. She’s already driving herself to the hospital for post op blood work! Amazing.

TTYL, cupcakes!!

* * * * * *

MEET MY GUEST HOST

Writer, Quilter, Craft Shop Owner, Scrapbooker, Genealogist

NESSA REIFSNYDER

About NESSA…

Nessa is a memory artist, ranging across scrapbooking, small-scale handsewn quilting, decoupage, family history, and writing. She writes young-adult fiction, memoir essays, and poetry. She’s also written for various publications, including Mark Lipinski’s Christmas 365 and Mark Lipinski’s Fabric Trends. And she’s a pop culture maven who owns more than 5,000 vinyl LPs (K-Tels a specialty!) and collects 1960s/70s craft & design books, showbiz bios, Sears catalogs, and cookbooks. Nessa graduated from Bowdoin College dreaming of becoming a jazz deejay, but instead worked as a writer, designer, and editor for 22 years. Nessa co-owns Fabricate, a vibrant crafts shop on Mount Desert Island, Maine. “Fabricate opened on August 15, 2008,” she says, ”and on that very first day (unbeknownst to us!) the Quilter Magazine’s Cruise for a Cure ship docked in our home port of Bar Harbor. Nearly sixty customers (and lots of encouragement!) later, we knew we’d made the right choice.”

Among the random things on Nessa’s mind this week:

The wondrous transplant gift that sweet Mary has given to Mark has Nessa thinking about…

HEROES!

Below are some furry friends…Nessa will share their stories (and the heroes who love and nurture them…)

BARNY

BELINA

EOWYN

GIMLI

SALLY

MAGGIE

MAX

Plus, from Nessa’s Bottomless Vinyl Vault…

CLICK HERE for Nessa’s website!

Nessa’s on TWITTER, FACEBOOK, and PINTEREST!

* * * * * *

MEET

Knitting Designer, Teacher, Author 

SALLY MELVILLE

About SALLY…

On her website, Sally writes, “While the ‘high points’ may define us (to the eyes of the world and in our obituaries), isn’t it really the early stuff with its ‘low points’ that make us who we are? So here are the truly important events that made me a knitting designer / teacher / author.

1. As a young girl, I couldn’t get gauge so had to write my own patterns.
2. As a young woman, I made a truly weird sweater that, when fixed, was oddly appealing . . . enough that I could begin selling my work.
3. The subsequent purchase of a knitting machine taught me how much I truly did not know.
4. I enrolled in a one-day, knitting design class . . . where everyone wanted to know about the sweater I was wearing (referred to in point 2) and where I was thrown out for passing notes (the pattern for the sweater referred to in point 2).
5. Back to my knitting machine where my math and writing (both studied in university) got to work and taught me what that class should have.
6. Soon enough I started my own knitting design class . . . from which no student would ever be thrown out! This became an ongoing group and then the K-W Knitters’ Guild.
7. I developed more classes—to stay one step ahead of the guild members.
8. One of our guest teachers pushed me into the light of the public of knitting world.
9. In 1993 my husband died, and all knitting came to a halt. I took a job as Study Skills Advisor at my local university.
10. But my daughter asked me to knit a sweater for her boyfriend. So I did—out of leftovers. And it became the centrepiece of my first book: see Styles in BOOKS.
11. Styles was wonderfully successful. But what would I do next?
12. I had a desire to teach the world to knit….”

Sally’s newest book will guide you to confident, unique knitwork!

In Knitting Pattern Essentials, acclaimed instructor and author Sally Melville redefines how a knitter approaches a sweater. Sally distills her many years of expertise into this guide, revealing the ins and outs of creating or modifying a garment pattern so the finished project looks and fits just the way you want it to.

Sally says, “This is the book I’ve always wanted to write.

This is where I put all the tools I have into your hands.

This is where you will learn skills that will keep your whole brain alive and healthy.

This is where you will find everything I can offer to make you a fully-empowered knitter!”

Check out a preview of Sally’s book HERE!

Some of Sally’s lovely, luscious designs…

And don’t miss Sally’s other books, including…

CLICK HERE for Sally’s website!

Sally blogs HERE!

CLICK HERE for Sally’s new book!

Sally’s on RAVELRY!

*******

MEET

Storyteller, Documentarian, Producer and Director

HEATHER QUINLAN

About HEATHER…

Heather Quinlan is a New Yorker who’s lived in all five boroughs and whose short film, “O Brooklyn! My Brooklyn!” about Walt Whitman’s “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry” was called “charming … an endearing way of making an old poem more relevant” by the New York Times.  She also directed Dinner With Wise Guys, a Little Italy spin on IFC’s “Dinner For Five”; and videos for TLC, the Discovery Channel and the Science Channel.  She started If These Knishes Could Talk as an homage to her father and grandparents, whose wonderful accents she missed hearing.  The knish became a symbol for the film after she remembered it was a Jewish food introduced to her by her Irish father in the heavily Italian borough of Staten Island.

“From Atlantic Ave. to Zerega Ave.,” Heather explains, “word on the street is the New York accent is disappearing — a casualty of a city that’s evolved into a vast expanse of banks, H&Ms and glass-blown high-rises.

But even though you may not hear ‘toity-toid and toid’ in Manhattan, you can still hear strains in Bensonhurst, Whitestone or Tottenville.  Or you can have a look-see through our film.

We’ve gathered some accent experts, official and non, to weigh in on what it means to tawk the talk in a city that may be slowly trying to quiet the noise.”

Check out the 100% New York Knishes trailer!

Starting 4/10/13, Heather’s taking part in an all-5-boroughs event, I’m Tawkin’ Here!, featuring storytellers, music and a 10-minute clip of Knishes!

CLICK HERE for Heather’s website!

CLICK HERE for the Knishes website (with lots of clips from the film!)

Knishes is on FACEBOOK and TWITTER!

*******

MEET

Quilter, Seamster, Designer, Author, Teacher

JEN ESKRIDGE

About JEN…

**************

And when your MOJO listening’s done. . .

If you’ve never used Auriful Thread. . .

. . .  then you haven’t really sewn!

Why not start off with my BASICS ?

Go to my web site to order YOUR collection — CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED.

Been Fly-ing Lately?

Your projects will soar with my new fabric line for Andover Fabrics, I CAN FLY!

Many thanks to Nessa Reifsnyder of Fabricate, for assistance with Mark Lipinski’s Blog!

Listen to a re-broadcast of all of my shows by CLICKING HERE.

You can also subscribe to Creative Mojo at iTunes.com!

 

Just log onto www.toginet.com for a brand-new,

LIVE, 2-hour

Creative Mojo with Mark Lipinski!

3 pm -5 pm EST    2 pm – 4 pm CST 1 pm – 3 pm MST    12 pm – 2 pm PST

Call in anytime during the live show with your questions or comments for my guests

(877) 864-4869

*****************

CLICK HERE to join Mark’s FACEBOOK Fan Page!

CLICK HERE to follow Mark’s Twitter updates!

CLICK HERE to join Mark’s Pickle Road Studio Posse on Yahoo! 

* * * * * *

While I’m away for several weeks recovering from surgery, Nessa Reifsnyder will be GUEST HOSTING “Creative Mojo with Mark Lipinski” from Mount Desert Island, Maine! Same time (Wednesdays at 3 PM EST). Same place (www.toginet.com). Same fun, inspiration and LIVE creative juice. Tune in. Call in! xoxom

Here I am with “Kidney Mary”—my sweet friend Mary Eichler who has donated my much-needed new kidney. This pic was taken on March 26, 2013, aka Transplant Day! My gratitude to Mary is immense, and her friendship is a treasure.

NEWS FLASH, 3/26 at 3:50 PM eastern:

Both Mary and Mark have completed their surgeries! HOORAY!!

Jeff says: “Just saw Mark. He looks incredibly good. He’s fully awake and making jokes. Mary’s husband just got done visiting Mary in recovery. She is doing great. Thanks for all your support.”

* * * * * *

MEET MY GUEST HOST

Writer, Quilter, Craft Shop Owner, Scrapbooker, Genealogist

NESSA REIFSNYDER

About NESSA…

Nessa is a memory artist, ranging across scrapbooking, small-scale handsewn quilting, decoupage, family history, and writing. She writes young-adult fiction, memoir essays, and poetry. She’s also written for various publications, including Mark Lipinski’s Christmas 365 and Mark Lipinski’s Fabric Trends. And she’s a pop culture maven who owns more than 5,000 vinyl LPs (K-Tels a specialty!) and collects 1960s/70s craft & design books, showbiz bios, Sears catalogs, and cookbooks. Nessa graduated from Bowdoin College dreaming of becoming a jazz deejay, but instead worked as a writer, designer, and editor for 22 years. Nessa co-owns Fabricate, a vibrant crafts shop on Mount Desert Island, Maine. “Fabricate opened on August 15, 2008,” she says, ”and on that very first day (unbeknownst to us!) the Quilter Magazine’s Cruise for a Cure ship docked in our home port of Bar Harbor. Nearly sixty customers (and lots of encouragement!) later, we knew we’d made the right choice.”

Among the random things on Nessa’s mind this week…

Of course we’ll share the latest news on Mark and Mary’s Kidney Adventure!

…with a huge thank you to Mr. Electric, Jeff Turner, for keeping everyone informed of Mark’s progress!

All this has Nessa thinking about HEROES…

We’ll be talking about Barny, Belina, Eowyn, Gimli, Sally, Maggie, Max: forever friends and the heroes who love and nurture them…

And, from Nessa’s Vinyl Vault…

CLICK HERE for Nessa’s website!

Nessa’s on TWITTER, FACEBOOK, and PINTEREST!

* * * * * *

MEET

Quilter, Designer, Teacher, Shopowner, Organizer 

LYNN ZDON PROVENCHER

About LYNN…

Lynn says, “I am a quilter with a quilt shop and get to spend every day working side by side with my longarm quilting husband, Bob! Playing with fabric, teaching new quilters and designing quilts are my passions. Jacksonville Jaguars fan, furry kid collector, lover of life!” Along with her retail store, Country Crossroads Quilt Shop in Orange Park, Florida, Lynn designs patterns for quilting and sewing under the name Thimblemouse Designs.

In 2012, Lynn was the ringleader and happy spark-plug behind the Cupcake Crew’s fabulous collaborative quilt, presented to Mark Lipinski on his birthday (and believe me, it was a total surprise!)

The Cupcake Crew’s quilt, on display at Pickle Road!

CLICK HERE for Lynn’s website!

Lynn blogs HERE! (don’t miss Meowza Mondays!)

Lynn’s on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, and PINTEREST!

*******

MEET

Cake Designer Extraordinaire, Owner of The Cakehole

JOVANNA HINKLE

About JOVANNA…

Jovanna says, “My parents have 4 daughters. My youngest sister got married in 2009 and for the first time in almost 30 years, my parents had no daughters in the house. I wanted to do something with my mom that would be fun for both of us and would get her out of the house. So I talked her into taking a Cake Decorating Class for Beginners at Michaels. We finished the class and while she enjoyed it…I LOVED it! I decided to teach myself more skills and take it to another level. I wanted to be able to make AMAZING cakes for my boys.

I have dabbled in a lot of things: I’ve done administrative work, worked at a law firm, worked in Real Estate, gone to school for social work, also become certified in American Sign Language, and even worked at a maximum security men’s prison. While I enjoyed several of these things, I wasn’t passionate about any of them the way I was with cake decorating. I just knew that this was what I was supposed to do.

So I started off making my boys’ cakes. Then I made some family members’ cakes. Then cakes for friends. Then for friends of friends. And the next thing I knew, The Cakehole was born and had become a full-blown business. While it’s ‘my baby’, I could not do what I do without the help of my mom. She is with me every step of the way and even enjoys it.

We started off in my kitchen. Then we were approached by the owner of a large catering company downtown Indianapolis. He wanted us to move The Cakehole to his kitchen. We did so and it worked out great for the time. I’m a mom, so my schedule adjusts around my 2 boys’ schedules. Once my oldest started full-day kindergarten and my youngest started preschool, we couldn’t keep making the drive each day. We found a commercial kitchen closer to home and it’s working out great! There is a HUGE room right next to the kitchen where my youngest stays while we work, when he isn’t in preschool.

Eventually, I will open a store-front, but not until my youngest is in full-day school. I’m a mommy first. A mom who gets to be a full-time mom AND have my dream job!”

Jovanna crafts custom-made works of art…and they taste heavenly!

CLICK HERE for The Cakehole’s website!

The Cakehole is on FACEBOOK!

*******

MEET

Quilter, Designer, Author, Artist

THOMAS KNAUER

About THOMAS…

CLICK HERE for Thomas’ website and blog!

Thomas is on FACEBOOK!

*****

MEET

Architect, Executive Director of the FDR Four Freedoms Park

GINA POLLARA

About GINA…

Gina Pollara currently serves as Executive Director of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park which was designed by the architect Louis I. Kahn on the southern tip of Roosevelt Island in New York City. Prior to this, she served as Associate Director of the Architecture Archives of The Cooper Union and co-curated a number of exhibitions including the seminal one on FDR Park in January/February 2005. It was an article in The New York Times about this exhibition that brought the Park project to the attention of its major funder, Alphawood Foundation Chicago.

Ms. Pollara maintained a practice from 1993 to 2001 designing and overseeing construction of a number of City apartments and residential additions, while concurrently working as: Owner’s Representative for the reconstruction of The Manhasset, an Upper West Side apartment building gutted by a ten-alarm fire; Consultant to the Chief Executive, Division of School Facilities, New York City Board of Education; Analyst for New York City Public School District 10 in The Bronx and Consultant to United Cerebral Palsy in association with the Mayor’s Office of Developmental Disabilities. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from The Cooper Union and a Bachelor of Art degree from Bennington College.

The FDR Four Freedoms Park is a meaningful, memorable place to visit in NYC:

image copyright Paul Warchol

image copyright Paul Warchol

image by Amiaga Photo, Inc.

The Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park is an enduring tribute to the life and work of President Roosevelt

On January 6, 1941 President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered a speech that shaped this nation, now known as the Four Freedoms speech. He looked forward to a world founded on four human freedoms: freedom of speech and expression, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.

In the late 1960s, during a period of national urban renewal, New York City Mayor John Lindsay proposed to reinvent Roosevelt Island (then called Welfare Island) into a vibrant, residential community. The New York Times championed renaming the island for President Franklin D. Roosevelt and constructing a memorial to him, remarking: “It has long seemed to us that an ideal place for a memorial to FDR would be on Welfare Island, which…could be easily renamed in his honor… It would face the sea he loved, the Atlantic he bridged, the Europe he helped to save, the United Nations he inspired.” The man chosen to give shape to this idea was the architect Louis I. Kahn, one of the masters of 20th century architecture. Governor Nelson Rockefeller and Mayor Lindsay announced the project in 1973 and the appointment of Louis Kahn as its architect. In short order, the Governor became Vice President of the United States, Louis Kahn finished his work and died unexpectedly, and the City of New York approached bankruptcy. It required patience, memory and determination – on March 29, 2010, 38 years after its announcement, construction of Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park began. The Park opened in 2012.

If you want to visit:

FDR Four Freedoms Park is open Thursday-Sunday, 9 am till 5 pm.

Take the Tramway Car at 59th Street & 2nd Avenue Station.  Exit at Tramway Station on Roosevelt Island.  Walk approximately 15 minutes south to Park.  Alternately, walk north to Main Street and catch the Red Bus south.  Cost is 25¢. Tram and Red Bus are wheelchair accessible.

OR

Take Queens-bound F train to Roosevelt Island stop.  Walk approximately 15 minutes south to Park.  Alternately, walk one block east to Main Street and catch the Red Bus south.  Cost is 25¢.

Limited parking available on Roosevelt Island. Consider public transportation instead.

CLICK HERE for the FDR Four Freedoms Park website!

The Park is on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and YELP!

**************

And when your MOJO listening’s done. . .

If you’ve never used Auriful Thread. . .

. . .  then you haven’t really sewn!

Why not start off with my BASICS ?

Go to my web site to order YOUR collection — CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED.

Been Fly-ing Lately?

Your projects will soar with my new fabric line for Andover Fabrics, I CAN FLY!

Many thanks to Nessa Reifsnyder of Fabricate, for assistance with Mark Lipinski’s Blog!

Listen to a re-broadcast of all of my shows by CLICKING HERE.

You can also subscribe to Creative Mojo at iTunes.com!