Art Retreat Wkend

My art group had a retreat this wkend. It was hosted in the home of Patti-one of our members-We arrived at various time on sat-Our first project was a byzantine bracelet made of copper-I actually finished mine and must say it's wonderful-thanks to Dale for teaching it. We then had lunch and afterwards, Babette did a great demo on PMC. If it weren't for the expense, i think that could be really addictive to play with-endless possibilities! I did a demo/class on paint mixing-which i wasn't greatly ready for. After the past month, i'm a bit out of the groove and forgot a few things.
Traci showed us how to make a pin cushion ring-a quick easy project that will come in handy. Sally taught us the "long tall sally" book that she originated. We got to a stopping point and went to Pei Wei for dinner. You know my take on chinese food, but i found something i could tolerate~ :) We came back to finish our books-with or without the envelopes. Margo made it around 11pm... We stayed up late and talked and laughed~ and slept soundly after a day of friends and art.
Sun morning found us around the dining table eating and laughing. Won't even go into what that conversation was like-just suffice it to say it was "girl talk!" Our first project of the day was some metal embossing that Donna G taught us. We made metal houses-a fun,relaxing technique. Traci S showed us how to do a "poppet puppet." These were really fun and have alot of possibilities. I made an Addison puppet. We took time out for a brief meeting-we installed our new queen-Carol and you can see how serious the job is! April showed us a wonderful butterfly/paint project where we made some really ethereal looking butterflies (ones she found at goodwill) The day wound down-i showed a few how to use their jewely saw to cut out wood-that was the end of the play~
We helped clean up a bit before some of us had to leave. When i left, several were relaxing in the pool in the 105 temps. I needed to get home for a family obligation, but next time-i'll be in the pool too!
food for wkend-$25
supplies for wkend-$37
playing w/art friends-priceless!

Quilt Giveaway

you can go here to enter to win a really fab-o quilt. The picture to the right-lovely colors to perk up any room!
of course, i'm going to win~:) but enter anyway!

A Few Images from Missouri

I've been home a week now and still don't have much energy. Sitting with someone while they are dying is draining-emotionally and physically-more than i ever thought it could be. I slept good last night-first time in over a month.
The pictures are 2nd cousins and a great aunt. Fireworks on the deck, my family
and more family on the deck~cousin and aunt and my immediates...it was at least good to see those we hadn't seen in yrs-and those we had only heard of but never met-

Home Again

It's been a draining month, but i'm back home for now. Gram was buried on july 8th
and i got home on the eve of the 10th. Will post something soon.
thanks for the thoughts, prayers and cards-they were all very appreciated.

Kate Katalinich Moody

The nursing home called me at 12:39 this morning to let me know that my gram had passed away. She'll be missed by many~

Hard Two Weeks

On father's day eve we got a call that my gram was gravely ill and not expected to make it. In march, she fell down the stairs of her deck-didn't break a bone! but was bruised and went to the hosp and a nursing home for rehab. She went home and was better-as well as one can be at that age. She later fell in her kitchen and broke her hip. She had surgery for that and developed pneumonia. Not a good combination at age 89 along w/her Parkinson's.
We all rushed up there on mon-praying to make it-and we did. I wasn't prepared for how she looked-hard to see such a spunky person that frail. She was moved to a nursing home on tues for hospice. We had some good days with her. She recognized us and talked to us best she could. By the following sun, she wasn't so well. That was the last day she really spoke at all. She can't swallow now-her vitals are up and down-I spent two wks there before heading home (another story) and hope to go back for the long wkend. as she is still hanging in there. In the meantime, we've gotten to know the staff-they are angels. Some of the residents there are real characters! I just pray that she's not in any pain at this point-and that she can at least hear us.

Home for the Lost and Abandoned

I think that is what we'll call our house now. We have dog #5. 6 actually since we
found a home for dog 5. This one dug his way into the yard. We have done everything we could to find his owner as he was obviously a loved dog until he got out or was abandoned. We are now trying to find him a home-so if you are looking for a little dog who is house-trained, affectionate and in need of a home, give us a call! I'm calling him "Pete-y"

70's music quiz

<I scored a Far Out
85% on theQuiz by SheGoddess: Quick Weight Loss


check out this site too~ Art-T-Dolls

The Birthday Wkend

Sat gary and i went to breakfast-mmmm, french toast and bacon. I went out to ft worth to hunt for treasure. Found a few things, but nothing exciting. It was way too hot to be out. Got home and did some art-made something for the art mtg sun, but forgot to take a picture of them. I watched "Monster House" and "Narnia the Lion, the witch and the wardrobe" since i hadn't seen them. Sun i went to my art mtg. We made the cutest bird nest things. Afterwards, i went to dinner with April, Carol, Traci, & Traci at Maggiano's for my birthday-we were stuffed afterwards! Watched "Once" tonight. Mon-'the' day, gary and i went to eat at Rockfish-then started to go to the movie, but way too crowded. We went to barnes & noble and 1/2 price books. I ordered some things from amazon. We had dinner tonight with my parents (red, hot & blue)
On tues we saw "Ironman" after work-it was great~ hope there is a sequel. When i got home on thurs, gary surprized me with a cake! that he made. Sure looks good~

ETSY listings finally

Finally added some fabric collages to my Etsy shop. Here is a little sample of one of the items. The link to the shop is on the right of my blog~
This is my birthday weekend. I plan to do whatever i want, especially since we are off on mon-my actual birthday. Cattle barn, antique stores, art, movies and food are all a part of my plans...

Teaser

maybe...I'll finally be putting things in my Etsy store this weekend...
i'm sure everyone has waited w/bated breath for that. :)

Happy Mother's Day/Score!

We all met at Joe T Garcia's for lunch this morning. Addison is almost 6 mothes old and she has discovered her tongue as you can see.
See the line of people? That is what happens when you a)want to sit outside & b)get there after 11am... needless to say, this was the line when we were leaving.
Gary and I went to the cattle barn after lunch. I got a box full of fabric scraps-wedding dress/evening gown scraps and buttons. Vintage buttons, glass buttons, shiny rhinestone buttons. Now it's time to do some fabric collage again.

Big People Birthday Party

went to a birthday party tonight for my friend April
She turned 50 and decided we needed to celebrate. (i agree) the first picture is the "card" i made for her. Had a fun time visiting with friends. Tomorrow is mother's day and the family is going out to brunch-sure i'll post some pictures tomorrow. gary and i are going to the cattle barn too-junk shopping-yea!

They are Back!

Rag & Bone bindery stopped making their journals this yr. I was saddened since they are my
favorite. I can make my own, but love their books-the sumptious colors & fabrics of the covers and the wonderful paper. They just recently said they are bringing them back-yea! time to stock up

Fruit Trays and Oklahoma City

What? you ask. Sat I had to go into work for several hrs to help get things ready for a reception on sun. These are pictures of what i got done. The big tray eventually had two 1/2 circles of fruit added to it on the sides, a second lg tray and a small one were done before i could leave. (nelly helped too) :)
Then i met gary for lunch and headed to Oklahoma City.
Why you ask-for an art festival of course! I heard about "Festival of the Arts"
last yr through Carla Sonheim's blog. I knew she would be there again this year and kept thinking all week about going. "yes, no, yes" So at 1:15 i was on my way. Checked into my hotel a bit before 4 and headed downtown. Found great parking across from the festival and wandered into the grounds. I really enjoyed the art here-all different artists than what we see here at Main St. Alot of vibrant colors. I did buy a print and original from Carla Sonheim.
I love her art-it just makes me smile. The festival takes place near a park-like area (forget the name) but it's pretty-they have a stage down by the water for some of the musical entertainment and another one near all the food vendors. I highly recommend this one to others. A few of the artists that i enjoyed were: Janet O'Neal
really like the vibrant colors she used in her work. Gianna Marino also had interesting art. She did her main body of collage with torn papers then drew on them (much cooler in person than in my description) Flinn Designs fun mixed media work and she runs an animal shelter.
Scot Schmidt has some interesting sculpture work done in limestone-at least that is the easiest way to describe (says he)
I decided to go see the Oklahoma Memorial while there. I had been there once before with my sister, but wanted to see it again. It is worth the time if you are ever in the area. By this time i was ready to head back to my hotel. I was too tired to even go find food, so i just ordered pizza and watched tv. Woke up to cold temps, packed up, ate and headed home to reality.

Caught UP

I think i've finally caught up on posting from the trip. The bluebonnets have been out for awhile so i'll post a picture-you know it's spring in TX when you see these!
I recently picked up the magazine that cloth paper scissors put out on studios. Between reading that and the fire that Joan had in her artroom before artfest made me think i need to get into my room and CLEAN and PURGE! I want to re-think my space-paint the walls and even re-arrange. I'll post progress as that happens.

Day 7: Seattle and Home

Got ready, ate in the hotel-got the car packed up and went to UPS to mail my box-much heavier than it was before! Took my rent car back-was dumped at airport on the lower level, so had to lug everything up-get checked in-really nice guy from dallas was working there. Went through security, THEN had to take a train to my gate-farthest gate from the train. Was concerned w/making it, but they had not started boarding yet. Another full flight. Smooth, uneventful-i would fly Alaska again. Got home around 5, gary picked me up and we went to Babe's for dinner. Very disappointed. No pot roast, no pecan pie (only making it at thanksgiving now) how stupid is that? Got home-exhausted. went to bed early since i have to go back to work tomorrow for 6 days. i'll unpack tomorrow...

Day 6: Fort Worden, Poulsbo and Seattle

April 6, 2008
Got packed up, loaded car and went to eat. The photo above is a lonely one! empty rooms...
I drove around town and took some pictures.
Went to check on Joan's progress-Went to take pictures of the armory. Joan came up for pix too. We went to the beach for "findings" and photo's. Got some great one's of the other armory area. Cool rust and peeling paint. Found rusted ship metal-even a hinge on the beach.
We headed out of town to meet up with carol, april and peggy in Poulsbo.
will finish later-tornado sirens are going off here...
OK-we missed the worst of the storm-just got the rain.
In Poulsbo, we went to the bead store, stamp store, antique store then had lunch at Magnolia Cafe. I had a wonderful cheese pizza. We hit the bakery-good thing they don't have one like this at home-i would weigh a ton! Joan and i missed the 3 pm ferry and took the 4-whatever one. Stopped at paper zone for bigger box, then met joan at daniel smith
for a bit of last minute shopping. We got to the hotel and got checked in-Holiday Inn Express is quite nice. Went to have dinner at Newport Bay again. My last taste of Halibut for awhile.
Went to bed fairly early for us-

Day 6: Fort Worden (April 5, 2008)

I was soooo tired today! Did the McD's thing-today's class was Karen O'Brien:Creative Characters. This was a fun day-we learned her techniques, her colors and a simple drawing lesson. I was very quiet today-hard to stay awake. Ate lunch with Amy today-nice to visit with her. Had to run to town for pr of scissors. (left mine at home-dummy) Enjoyed class today-really liked what we did-and her fast techniques. I had to take a bit of a nap after class. Met up with April and Joan for dinner. Ate mexican food at El Sarape. It was actually much like home-tex mex. We were stuffed. Got back to the fort for the show and tell. Always a bittersweet time. Such cool art to see-yet knowing it's almost time to go home.
The S & T wrapped up fairly quick-we headed over to Dorm 202 again for the "after party." Didn't stay as late as last night-went back to shower and pack up for tomorrow.

Day 5: Fort Worden (April 4, 2008)

Did my morning McD's. (funny i never eat there when i am at home) The guy working there recognized me already-guess when you're in a small town...-drove around again-as many times as i've been here, i've never looked at some areas of town. Pretty little place. Went back to the fort for my supplies and headed to the schoolhouse. Today's class was with Tiphoni: Color Theory.
I loved this class. We took 6 colors of paint and white and learned to mix all colors. We practiced just mixing, used a mag page to find a color to copy. How cool it was to look at a color and finally "get it" when it comes to cool, warm, red, blue or yellow. You learn to identify the color you see most. Usual lunch fare in the commons. I think i had bread and stew gravy today :)
After lunch we did a little painting w/2 colors and mixing them to get many shades-really got alot out of this class-as much as i love playing with paint, it was a good thing.
April and I ate dinner at Waterfront pizza. Love their pizza-it's a tradition. We got back in time to get in line for vendor night. I bought a few things-print from Kelly Rae Roberts, findings from Bird (scavanged from dead bodies of course) tie dye socks too. Got a little piece from Karen OBrien and Urban Bird Girl. (my buddies girlfriend) We hung out in dorm 202 tonight-green wristbands and all. Had alot of fun-stayed up late-showered and bed.