Silver Bella 2010

Just returned from Silver Bella...my first time to attend and my first trip to Omaha, Nebraska. It snowed while we were there. It was beautiful huge flakes. Three packed days of classes in painting, jewelry making, and a crafty tree project. Met many new friends and got to enjoy the company of some old friend

When Sheryl & I discovered Lisa Kaus, our favorite artist and teacher was going to be there....no doubt, we were going!

Here she is showing a technique in class...such a great teacher!

Sheryl and I made bookmarks to give to everyone there...I think we made 150 of them.

I participated in the canvas swap...we were paired up and made a canvas for the other person.

Below is the canvas that I made for the swap. Mine was done on the reverse side of the canvas. I used alot of vintage buttons and sheet music for accent.

I didn't finish either jewelry projects in the two classes that I took. The teachers were excellent, however, there was not enough time, the lighting was terrible for working with tiny beads, and it was crowded at the tables. So, hopefully, I will get those projects finished soon.  A really easy and stress free class, was making Christmas tree from old wooden spools. They turned out really cute.

More to come later!

Silver Bella 2010

Well its finally here! Time has arrived for the fabulous Silver Bella Art Event , being held this weekend in lovely, historic Omaha. What an official start of the Holiday Season to spend these few giddy, glittery days with Teresa McFayden and 150 or so of absolutely the best group of creative women ever! I will be one of the many squealing, hugging, craft-toting Bellas running around the Embassy Suites like a mad-woman on a a glitter high. Hope to return with lots of pics to share with you!

I've probably mentioned before how much I love Victoria Magazine. I recently picked up their specialty holiday publication - Victoria Classics Holiday Bliss and was elated to find this gorgeous download on their website. I printed out these tags on Enhanced Matte Paper and they printed out beautifully - they look like professionally printed tags. So gorgeous, lovelier than anything you'll find at a store and absolutely free. You can't beat that!
Here's a picture of the tags below, and go here to download them. They also have printable invitations and food name cards. Also, if you happen to like one design of these tags in particular, they've provided an option to download and print a page of that design, alone. Enjoy, and I've also included a few vintage holiday images for you.

Was just reading through some of my fav blogs this morn and came across this great giveaway at Tatertots and Jello's Blog (Isn't that the cutest name for a blog?).  Check out the wonderful flameless candles. Since I am notorious for leaving a candle lit in the house...I decided some time ago it would be smart for me to stick to flameless candles. These are some of the cutest I have ever seen. I also love the timers.  The timer can be set to automatically go on each night at a certain time and can stay on for up to 5 hours! Plus, it has a realistic flickering light. Excellent for saving those batteries for many more future uses.
It would be hard to choose a favorite. The Harlequin Pattern on the front, plus the jewels -- is really beautiful and would go anywhere in a house or office.
To see more of these...go over to IKR Designs for all of her great choices and varieties.

Here we are...my cat, Butch and I working at my craft table. Be back soon, got projects to finish!

The Union's Elton John and Leon Russell is is a rich, lyrical stew. Rating: * * * *

Gospel-flavoured ivory tinkling Sixties singer-songwriter Leon Russell was a huge influence on Elton John, who belatedly repays the debt in this career-reviving collaboration. The result is a rich, lyrical stew of southern country soul, with flourishes from choirs and horns This is the review written by...By Neil McCormick.

I downloaded the album on Itunes this past weekend and have been listening to the collaboration of these two great artist for days now. They were in their prime when I was in high school. A few months ago, I had reconnected with an old high school friend on Facebook that my greatest memories were of us discussing Elton John in biology class.  Leon Russell's music has always been a favorite of mine that I have continued to play throughout the years. I guess my favorite song was always "Song for You" or was it ""Back to the Island" , "Lady Blue", "A Hard Rains Gonna A-Gonna-Fall",
Elton mentioned in an interview that he hadn't done a live album in years. Everything for the past few years have been digitally produced. Elton said he will never go back to digital. I loved that. Its pure.

A Womans Life

I guess it really doesn't matter what age we are...I think we have our heart somewhere other than work. It's Sunday evening, and I must start organizing for work for the coming week. It has been a wonderful weekend of being home and being creative. I remember being younger, wishing to be home with my children, wishing that I didn't need to work in order for us to survive. These thoughts remind me of what an old friend told once. I was wishing for a home on the lake and he said, " You move to the lake and it isn't a special place to go anymore", it becomes everyday life." So...I go back to work tomorrow and will return to that special creating space soon. Thank you God for the talent that you give me to earn a living in order to live my passion.

ps...and I love you my sweet daughter-n-law and I pray that you can be home with your children one day soon.

Canvas Complete

Canvas Exchange for Silver Bella is Done!! Woohoo!

AWOL

I have been awol lately due to my preparation for the upcoming Silver Bella event. It is only a couple weeks away and I still have a canvas to finish, trade items to complete, and finalizing my supplies to take along. I found myself really stressing over all this and then I decided why do this if I don't enjoy the journey. I am missing the entire reason for doing this when it becomes a stress ful event to prepare for. I am the queen of procrastination and I seriously doubt that I am going to change at my age. Here is some of my items that I have been preparing...

These are old albums covered and decorated to hold my vintage paper for my Junque Journal Trade.

Touches of Fall

I purchased a pumpkin for our front planter, much like this one in the photo. My pumpkin looks really sad sitting there all alone. I am going to try and see if I can get this look. I found this idea on Room Remix.