Clouds on Rocky Knob by Joe Fikes

Photography Lessons With Joe: Part 1

  An Art & A Science Last month I began photography lessons here in Huntsville, Alabama with my friend Joe Fikes.  After our first meeting to get an overview of the class and talk about my experience level, I came home and wrote an introductory article that was supposed to …

How To Start A Creative Arts Blog; Book Review: Blogging For Bliss

The article in my alma mater’s alumni magazine about Grace Bonney and her blog Design*Sponge inspired me to look into starting a blog. I had a desire to write about other artists and crafters, and to share my pottery, jewelry and dollhouse miniatures as well. Cotton Ridge Create! began in …

Creating a Tiered Living Miniature Garden With A Pot Stacker ~ Part 3

My miniature gardens are taking shape. I found so many plants at Bennett’s Nurseries (see Part 2) that I now have two miniature gardens in 12″ pots, the garden I made at Lynn‘s house, and the tiered garden made with the pot stacker! I’ve really been enjoying this project. This …

Creating a Tiered Living Miniature Garden With A Pot Stacker ~ Part 2

  Last week in Part 1, I put together my pots and pot stacker, filled the pots and found a few miniature plants at Lowes and Home Depot. The next day I made a trip over to Bennett Nurseries here in Huntsville, Alabama, to see if I could find a …

Photography Lessons With Joe: Introduction

Photography Lessons in Huntsville, Alabama I have the opportunity – lucky me – to take photography lessons with Joe this summer.  Once each week I will be learning things like what an f-stop is, the meaning of ISO, and how to use my nice Canon Digital Rebel XSi for something …

Creating a Tiered Living Miniature Garden With A Pot Stacker ~ Part 1

  Since Lynn’s living miniature garden party, I’ve been thinking of creating another garden.  A few days ago I found the pot stacker that I bought last year at a craft show from Oakville Ironworks.   The pot stacker inspired me to get some pots and make a tiered living miniature …

Announcing Cotton Ridge Homeschool!

Cotton Ridge Homeschool is my collection of creative ideas for home based learning. Although we have a couple of years before we start, I decided a blog would be the best place to organize my thoughts, keep a list of links to other blogs and curriculum sites, and keep track …

Art in the Great Smoky Mountains

Late May is a beautiful time of year to vacation in Gatlinburg, Tennessee in the Smoky Mountains.  This year the weather was particularly nice – not too hot or cold, and it didn’t rain much.   Looking for arts and crafts is one of my favorite things to do while in …

Creative Things To Do Near Gatlinburg, Tennessee + Great Places To Eat

There are many fun, creative and educational activities in the Smoky Mountains that children and adults can enjoy together.  If you are vacationing in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge or Sevierville, these places are within driving distance and are worth the visit. Arts & Crafts Community of Gatlinburg We make an effort …