Lessons Learned at ART IS...YOU 2011

Art is...You was my very first art retreat. I had such a great time. Sallianne and Ellen are truly amazing women. I would never have the patience or fortitude to put on events of that magnitude and deal with all the myriad details and problems that arise.  And they always seem to be in such a great mood!

I have discovered that there are several types of classes that one can take at a an art retreat.  Some are strictly technique classes where you do not take away a specific project. Some are technique classes where you replicate a sample the instructor has given you.  Some are classes where you are given a design to work off of but you provide the theme and/or inspiration.  I have discovered that my favorite type of class is the last version.  I love it when someone provides the basic framework and teaches the techniques involved but then lets me create my own vision. Shelly Massey's classes were like that.  I left with pieces of art that I felt were truly my own.  I LOVED Julie Haymaker Thompson's class and I learned so many techniques but I feel I just replicated her sample. (with the exception of the cat which is all my own)  I love that piece but I don't see much of myself in it.  However, I can now take the techniques I learned from Julie and do something of my own.

Everything is a learning process and I just feel good getting to create!

I also learned about the power in gathering a group of creative people together. I met so many wonderful women who quickly asked me my story and then got involved in it.  Three women tied wish bracelets to my wrist this weekend. Two have already fallen off so I'm hoping those wishes come true soon. Even though these women don't know me well, they are sending me prayers and positive energy which is so powerful.  I feel lucky to have been a part of it all and can't wait for next year!!!  I hope you'll join us too!

Art is You Petaluma Day Three---DOGGIE IN THE WINDOW

My last class was with Julie Haymaker Thompson. She taught us how to alter cheap craft store birdhouses into wonderful whimsical pieces.   Of course, I had to do a cat instead of a dog:

Here is the other side:

So fun!!!  Last night, at the Trunk Show I finally got to meet the marvelous Cathe Holden in person.  Getting the chance to spend time with Amy Powers and Cathe Holden and getting to meet the wonderful Shelly Massey made my first art retreat experience complete. Can't wait until next year!!!

Art is You Petaluma Day Two----LICENSE TO CREATE

I took my second class with Shelly Massey today.  We continued our work with vintage license plates and made wonderful and whimsical boxes.

Here is one of Shelly's:

Here is my finished creation:

I did a "Bloom Where You Are Planted" theme with a funky flower growing out of an old shoe.

Goober shot from Shelly's blog:

See more photos from Shelly's classes on her blog.


I am taking tomorrow off and then return Sunday for Julie Haymaker's DOGGIE IN THE WINDOW class.

Art is You Petaluma Day One----PLAYTIME

Day One of ART IS YOU!!!

The very first person I saw when I walked in the door was one of my very favorite bloggers---Amy Powers!

Not only is Amy incredibly talented but she is such a wonderfully sweet person.  I cannot WAIT for her new issue of Inspired Ideas e-zine!


Amy and I both took Shelly Massey's PLAYTIME workshop.  Here I am with Shelly and some of her wonderfully whimsical examples:

And here is my piece:

I've been thinking a lot about moons lately.  My moon and stars are balloons.


Here is Amy's wonderful family portrait!

And here is Muriel's jungle-themed piece:

This is Prentiss' work in progress. It has a Alice in Wonderland theme:

Shelly is a wonderful teacher and her class was so laid-back and fun.  I am taking another of Shelly's classes tomorrow. So far, so fun!!!

Here is a shot of one particular goober from Shelly's website:

(image source)

Making an Effort (and it's a big one)

After a sleepless night filled with crying and gnashing of teeth, I am trying this approach today.  ("trying" is the operative word)

Art Therapy

This weekend I will be attending my very first art conference/retreat in my own backyard.


ART IS...YOU!!!

I registered for this event long before my current woes and I debated whether or not to attend.  In the end, I decided that I really need this. I haven't done anything like this for myself in four years.  The best part is that I don't have to travel somewhere in order to do it.  I can come home to my family every night. 

I am taking three classes.   Two of them are being taught by Shelly Massey. I love her use of whimsy and color:

WORKSHOP ONE:  Play Time

(photo borrowed from and owned by Shelly Massey)

WORKSHOP TWO:  License to Create

(photo borrowed from and owned by Shelly Massey)

The third class I am taking is being taught by Julie Haymaker.  I will have to incorporate a cat, of course.

WORKSHOP THREE:  Doggie in the Window

(photo borrowed from and owned by Julie Haymaker)

I am almost done with my trades and I have been sorting through my crafting supplies in order to pack my retreat kit.  I'm so excited!!!  I will do my best to take photos and share them with you throughout the weekend.  FYI---They are already planning another ART IS...YOU here next year so please think about coming out and playing with me!


P.S. Still no news on a new home. We are seeing two houses this afternoon and possibly one tomorrow.  Hopefully, we'll know something soon!

ART IS YOU Seuss Ornament Swap

I am desperately trying to finish some creative projects before all of my crafting supplies get packed away. Today, I finished my ornaments for the ART IS YOU Dr. Seuss Ornament Swap.

I made a little Lorax tableau inside of a candy container.  I used some blue roving for one of the trees.  Hopefully, it looks okay.

I'm halfway finished with my trades for ART IS YOU and I need to get started on my pages for the ABC Christmas Swap. I have 26 ATCs to make for that.  Getting all my crafting supplies sorted and packed is going to be a huge job.

As the clock keeps ticking, we still haven't found a new rental home.  Actually, we found the perfect one and the owners chose someone else. It was a big disappointment because I was so hopeful.  I really thought our lives might be changing for the better.  Now, we are left looking at teeny houses in bad areas.  I am struggling to keep a stiff upper lip and failing miserably.  I can deal with a lot but not having a home has brought me to my knees. I wake up each morning and count my many blessings but my heart isn't getting on board.  All I can do is hope that we find something before we have to leave this house.   One month to go!

Action Pack 6--Zap and Zest!

A bright spot in my otherwise gloomy week---the arrival of the new Whip Up Action Pack!  This issue centers around the theme of Zap + Zest!

Zap refers to electricity and battery experiments, poppers and fizzing reactions too, while Zest is focused on citrus fruits – mainly lemon! Lots of projects to keep you busy no matter what the season. Lots of science, cooking and some art and craft too!

This particular issue has a couple of projects suitable to the little ones too – try some Lemon stamping, Static electricity experiments (yes the little ones will love these), how about some lemon boats and making a vinegar volcano too! So excited to find some fun things to do with Noodlebug!


Buy your copy here!!! I'm going to get my own right now!


This is a printable downloadable emagazine – with no advertising and only $6 for 60 pages of science, creativity & cooking. It's a DOUBLE ISSUE extravaganza!

Considering the Lilies of the Field

(image source)

Matthew 6:25-34“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."