Art Unraveled and Sharing Time with Friends!

Spent last week at FABULOUS Art Unraveled! It was a time for creating where an atmosphere of talent and friendships filled the air. Linda, Chuck, Lori and all the other helpers made this an event to remember.




Started with an evening event for "Meet The Artists". Once the table was ready and the doors opened many friendly faces and smiles greeted me and warmed my heart. Hugs and sharing stories since last we met, students and friends surrounded me enjoying the time to visit and reminiscing on memories of times shared.

The next morning it was time to teach a class on the "Painted Nature Pendent". This was a great beginning for the week of teaching classes. The students were eager to learn, loaded with talent..... anxious to share laughter and fun for the day. Here are the BEAUTIFUL results! WOW! Tracie and I are so proud!

Thursday began relaxing at breakfast followed by a meeting with the INchie Divas so I could give them the journal I had made each of them.









We headed out to do some shopping and ended up at Mystic Paper! What a store!



Kim and Jennifer are terrific! The store is AMAZING!




Around the top of the store are vintage photos of their families. CAPTIVATING! Love this store. If you get to Phoenix it is well worth a trip for shopping.















After dinner it was time for the "Petite Painted Portrait" class. This class was ready to spend the evening creating and showed up to class with a lot of enthusiasm. As the evening progressed we watched these talented artists create a collection of BEAUTIFUL tiny works of art! Look for yourselves!

Friday came and we took the day slow. Didn't have a class until evening so we visited a couple of places in Phoenix then went to have lunch with friends. Visited with friends the rest of the afternoon before getting ready to teach our evening class. As students arrived they were anxious to begin creating and the results of the class speaks for itself. Look at the "Petite Vintage Journals" created by these wonderful artists!

As we hugged students, friends, Linda and all her crew we bid them a fond farewell until next year.

We were leaving quite early on Saturday to return to our midwestern homes.

Sad to be leaving our friends yet excited because my middle son was returning from Afghanistan an hour after Tracie and I would arrive home! The ending to a fun filled week!

See My Work At.......

For the past year I have participated in a monthly art collaborative creating a themed piece of artwork. Now our group's work will be on display at the Sixth Street Gallery in Vancouver, WA.

You are invited to view our original pieces as they will be on display for the month of August. Pieces will be sold during the gallery show or after the show at our blog Nature Gathered

Art Unraveled

I will be teaching at Art Unraveled this next week. This will be a fun filled week in Phoenix, AZ hosted by Linda Young.

I hosted an INchie Swap and will be meeting many new friends and renewing friendships with old friends I haven't seen for a while.

Here is a sneak preview of the INchie made by the members of the swap.



Goodies for me from the INchie Divas!!!























AND My Gift to the INchie Divas!!!



There is still room Tracie and my classes so I hope you will join us for a creative fun day at Art Unraveled.

July Drawing Winner

Patty Wolvington is the winner for the July drawing! Congratulations Patty and THANK YOU for visiting my blog!
I will deliver your journal to you in week or so. Am heading to Art Unraveled for a week but will get the journal to you once I return!

To see how to win a prize on my blog Please click the link on the upper right of the screen. It will detail how to be a winner!

Come With Us On An Adventure in Italy

A Typical Day


So you are thinking about joining us on our trip to Orvieto. What will a typical day be like? It will be a mix of artistic expression and cultural exploration. You will learn and eat and play and explore and simply enjoy!





You will awake to a peaceful quiet, perhaps punctuated by bells out in the city. Each room has its own bathroom in which to prepare for the day. Descend the stairs for breakfast in a room sporting 15th century frescoes. Cheese, fruit, cereal, coffee, bread – a Continental breakfast greets you.



From there it is to the classroom for a morning of exploration and learning. We might be in class or you might be out on an assignment, an excursion in which you explore a bit of the city. We will gather for lunch with any spouses and friends who have joined us on the trip, comparing notes on our morning. Good food is a given, whether we picnic with food we have bought or go to a very local restaurant.






We'll have a bit of quiet time after lunch. Some of us may nap, some explore the city, some get into the studio to do a little work on our project.
Then, later in the afternoon, we will head out on a cultural adventure, exploring the Italian way of life, the things that make Italy and Orvieto so intriguing and appealing.



An olive oil and wine tasting in a space inhabited by Etruscans, a cooking class where we make pasta and other goodies, a visit to a vineyard where we get to sample local wines, a look at the incredible cathedral, or Etruscan history, or medieval architecture.




Sated with culture we will enjoy one of Orvieto's many wonderful restaurants. Whether for pizza which is indescribably wonderful, or a traditional multi-course meal, we will eat well. Then back to the quiet of our B&B, maybe grabbing a gelatto to enjoy along the way.

Mmm, I'm looking forward to more tomorrow!

There is limited space for accompanying ua on this fabulous adventure so I hope you will visit Adventures in Italy and sign up. We will have fun, excitement and a cultural experience you will remember for a lifetime.

Tracie Lyn and I look forward to sharing this time with you.

Thinking of a Friend

I have a friend who is ill so I wanted to send her a little something to let her know I was thinking of her. Put together this notebook for her to carry in her bag or lay by her bedside. It is a small notebook 3x5 inches so is a good size to carry.

Using fabric scraps from fabrics I created I covered the front and back. Trimmed with bits of lace, ribbons and yarns then lined the insides of the covers with pieces of a printed fabric.




Fun and easy way to create a small gift from the heart!





I will be creating one of these on a larger scale for the July monthly giveaway. Please click the link on the upper right of my blog for the details. All you need to do is leave comments on my blog and you might be the winner!

Cassie is Home!

We got to bring our precious Cassie Kitty home today. She has improved much but still needs to eat more. We are so very happy to have her home again.

She has wandered through the entire house.....every room...every special place she likes to lay and.....the screened in porch where she likes to watch the birds.



"Look Mom. See my boo boo. This is where Doc Ron stuck me with a needle. It hurt!"

Cassie held her little paw up for the pic.


I will miss her in my studio but never as much as I was missing her this past couple of weeks. I am so VERY grateful that she is on the mend.

THANKS to ALL of you who have sent me messages of good wishes and asking how Cassie was doing! I APPRECIATE ALL of you, my FRIENDS!!!

Hugs!

June's Winner Announced

I am happy to announce that Summerset Banks is the winner for the June drawing. I will be mailing her the great packet of goodies.

THANKS Summerset! For visiting my blog and leaving a comment. Please visit frequently.

For all you faithful visitors please don't forget to leave a comment each time you visit so you, too can be eligible to win a monthly prize and be entered in the drawing for the grand prize in December. It will be a very personalized and special gift!

Details can be read by clicking the link on the upper right of my blog page!

Side note: I always send a little surprise along with the drawing prize.

I will be posting a picture of the prize for the month of July soon!

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

Photo by Saji and Niffy (flicker.com)


Best Wishes for a safe and joyous Independence Day! Hope you are able to spend time with family or friends or attend a big public celebration.

We will be spending a relaxing day with a few friends and our youngest son and his friend. Our eldest son and Tracie aren't here this year because they will be visiting soon and they needed a weekend of relaxation. Our other son is on his way to Afghanistan.

He wrote yesterday to wish us a Happy 4th and to let us know that he was in Romania. He has a short tour this time but as many of you parents are aware that does not lessen the danger. I pray for his and all our other troops' safe returns.

In my younger years I did not really pay much attention to the meaning of this day but time has shown me how precious the meaning of today. Living in this great country is a privilege that was not much realized by me until 9/11, my husband serving in Desert Storm then my husband and son serving together in Iraqi Freedom. I now have a deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by all who serve.....whether it be the troops or the families at home. The brothers, sisters, moms, dads and children both on the front lines and at home have given so much for the betterment of others.

Please take a minute today to remember all those who have died fighting for the freedom of others and those who are far from home and loved ones. Say a prayer for their safe return and for the success of the mission they so bravely serve.

Say a prayer for the families at home....the children awaiting parents to return....the parents awaiting children to return.

CELEBRATE YOUR FREEDOM AND THE GREATNESS OF OUR NATION!

This is Cassie on a day when she was doing well. She had climbed in my bag and was lying there when I discovered her. She is so sweet!

As of today she still has not eaten. She drank a little water and walked a little but just won't eat.

The vet called this morning to see how she was doing and we told him that she still won't eat. He was going to his clinic and said for one of us to bring her in so he could look at her. I took her. The incision was swollen and she had a temperature. 103.4 degrees. He checked her tummy and the incision was oozing. She has an infection which is not uncommon when the intestines are involved as they are full of bacteria.

Needless to say - he kept her. He is giving her antibiotics interveinously and some nourishment. She is very sick. My heart aches for her as I know the pain must be tremendous. He is going to give her a pain injection because a pill would not be good for the intestines. He isn't sure when she will get to come home. He said he is concerned about her well being.

I just pray she does get better and gets to come home. I am very concerned for her!

One thing he did comment on is that the ribbon was about 1/2 inch wide which was lucky because a string, thread or dental floss can cut through the intestine then there is very little that can be done. The wide ribbon had not cut the intestines so that was a good thing. He said dental floss is the worst as it is very strong.

Nala, our yellow tabby, misses her playmate. While Nala is very mischievous I do believe she senses that something is wrong. She didn't bother Cassie at all while she was home.

Please say a prayer for our Cassie. She truly needs them.

Update on Cassie

Thanks to all of you who have sent me kind thoughts and have Cassie in your prayers.

The vet called today and asked if we would mind bringing Cassie home early as she won't eat. He thinks she is frightened and perhaps if she comes home she will.
He knows us well as our son worked for him during high school and college.

Cassie is home. She can hardly move. Still hasn't eaten but did go to the potty.
I feel so sad for her but am VERY grateful she is going to be okay.

Apparently the vet did not have to remove a section of the intestines but rather made 3 incisions in the small intestines, snipped the ribbon and carefully removed it in pieces.

I can't even imagine the pain that poor kitty has.

I will NEVER allow her in my studio again! Will keep you posted on her progress.

My Sweet Cassie

I simply had to post this warning to all you animal lovers out there that have a precious pet you cherish.

Sweet Cassie loves to hang out with me in my art studio. Unfortunately I must keep my eye on her constantly as she loves to get in the various supplies that I have. She loves "INchies" and frequently takes off with them when I am working on them for a swap. She also loves ribbons, yarns and threads and will frequently grab them and start chewing.

I have always been able to get them from her but a couple of days ago I couldn't. She grabbed a pink ribbon approximately 14-16 inches long and ran with it. Hubby and I chased her all through the house but before we could catch her, she ate it.

Needless to say it caused her to get ill. She was vomiting on Wednesday morning so my husband took her to the vet. They ran tests and gave her barium to xray her but she kept vomiting it up. The vet determined she had a blockage. He asked if we were sure she ate the ribbon. My husband assured him that he was positive she did. The vet explained that the ribbon could cut her small intestines and surgery should be performed right away.

He did the surgery and sure enough she had the ribbon lodged in her intestines. Without prompt surgery she could have died.

Please, PLEASE do not let your pet in your studio! There are so many dangerous items that they may find and want to use a toys. As much as I love Cassie's company I know now that the studio MUST be off limits. Dangers are everywhere!

If we not known for sure that she had eaten the ribbon we would have lost our precious kitty. I am so grateful that we knew and that when my husband got up yesterday after I had left for the office he realized she was ill. I guess she came to him, lay down in front of him and meowed. He said he just knew she was saying "Please help me!" He immediately took her to the vet.

I am so happy that he did not hesitate. How lucky we are! The medical report is she is doing fine but is still at the vet and will be for a few days.

I will keep you posted.

Prize for JUNE

This has been a very busy month. I am late getting a picture of the prize for the month posted. However, for all the visitors that have left comments since June 1 I have been placing your names in the jar for the the monthly drawing.

Here is a picture of the prize:



The prize consists of dried botanicals from my garden and pasture, Vintage buttons, pages from a 1918 Ladies Home Journal and other misc not shown but will be a surprise.

Don't forget to leave a comment to be entered to win. There is a link on the upper right of my blog that will take you to the details of my monthly giveaways.

BLOOMS BRIGHT

"I wake with the flowers that will
watch out the night;
Yellow and white
In the midsummer twilight over the land
For the dawn at hand.


You shall find me early and leave me late
I can always wait,
As sure as the summer and sun will disclose
The heart of the rose,












With the brooding passion of poet or bird
Till life be stirred
In the formless thought, in the eggs of blue,
And love in you.

Oh, the sky delight of the rosebuds' red!
Oh! the word unsaid!"

from The Nature Notes of an Edwardian Lady by Edith Holden

JUNE in BLOOM

"The evening comes, the fields are still,
The tinkle of the thirsty rill
Unheard all day ascends again,
Deserted is the half-mown plain,
Silent the swathes! the ringing wain,
All housed within the sleeping farms!
The business of the day is done,
the last-left hay-maker is gone,
And from the thyme upon the height,
And from the elder-blossom white
and pail dog-roses in the hedge,
And from the mint plant in the sedge,
In puffs of balm the night-air blow
The perfume which the day fore-goes,
and on the

Creation for Lucky May Visitor

Gathering supplies I begin creating the giveaway for the lucky winner of the May drawing. Painting will be the first step for this one-of-a-kind gift for that special person.






I pick up the brush and begin, letting the brush guide me on what to paint. Soon these daisies begin to take shape.





Once I finished them I laid them to the side to dry. Then I began to focus on what to create with these, my favorite flowers.



After they were dry I pressed Steam-A-Seam2 on the backside of the painted fabric.














Now I needed to decide how to present these lovely florals. MMMMmmmm...I think I will use a Vintage album page, sheer fabric, French lace and ribbon.














Now to draw the lucky winner before I show the final creation!......And the winner is:........Doreen G who left a comment on May 12....She lives at the Big Pond in Australia!!!! (Doreen, please send me a private email with your snail mail address so I can mail you the prize.)



















And here is the PRIZE!!!! CONGRATULATIONS, DOREEN and THANK YOU FOR VISITING! Please continue to visit often.






I collect all the names from the comments throughout the month then draw a lucky winner at the beginning of the next month. Please see the drawing information at the upper right on the main page of my blog for details.

Paper Bag Wallets

Spent the day in my studio recycling brown paperbags into wallets.

I enjoy figuring out ways to reuse items that we would normally toss away or send to the recycle center. As I looked around my stash of brown paperbags I decided that it would be fun to create a wallet and cell phone holder.

Gathering bits and pieces of fabrics, trims and buttons I began assembling a wallet. Having no pattern, of course, I began experimenting with strengthening the bag so it wouldn't rip and how to assemble it.





Then using the sewing machine and a free-style quilting stitch I quilted one of the pocket, decorated it with bits of lace and a button. Soon I had a Vintage wallet.


















Since I am frequently drawn to bright colors and have a lot of scraps in my fabric treasures, I decided to create a paperbag wallet in brights. Here is the result:





These unique creations are small and just the thing when you want to head off on a shopping trip and prefer to leave your large handbag at home. You can place your money in the deep pocket and cell phone in the front decorative pocket.

Please leave a comment telling me what you think of these fun wallets. You will be entered in my monthly drawing and could possible win something special if you name is drawn.

Perhaps a fun wallet???? What is your favorite color? When is your birthday?

Please tell me. You just never know what "goodie" could find its way to you.

What IS Your Choice?.....

Would you like this month's givaway to be a packet of Vintage papers, laces, yarns and ephemera.....OR would you like to receive an original piece of artwork that I create?

I am going to let the visitors to my blog decide. This month when you visit my blog please leave a comment telling me what you would like to receive from me.

On the first of June when I draw if your name is chosen you will recieve the gift of your choice!

Your choice and My fun! I really want the monthly drawings to be all about YOU so I thought what could I do for YOU!

Please leave a comment each time you visit so you will have more chances to win!

Good Luck! AND Happy Spring!!!!

Art & Soul Virginia

As always Tracie and I had a blast teaching our classes. The students were FANTASTIC and OH, so TALENTED! I am completely in AWE everytime we teach our painting classes at what the students create! This is especially rewarding when many of our students have NEVER painted before and to tackle painting a bird takes courage.

Each student brings a given talent that she was not aware she had. With our techniques and showing them a few tricks the paintings are BEAUTIFUL!

Without sounding like an infomercial....this IS the class for you if you have ever wanted to pick up a paint brush and begin creating something to be proud to show family and friends! YOU, too, can create beauties like these:







































Here are the BEAUTIFUL necklaces painted by students: