Tongue in Cheek

Have you ever read the blog, Tongue in Cheek?

The author is Corey Armaro, a beautiful soul I met at the Spellbound event in California last week.  Her story captured me.

Since returning home I have been checking her blog consistently to read more. Interesting enough, she writes about when her father had become very ill and dealing with the sadness of his sickness and his death...that is where I am today. We brought my Dad  home from the hospital this time after a four week stay. He is requiring round the clock care. Finding help, trusting, good, reliable help in your home is not an easy thing to do. I still worry about things such as...will Dad like them, is he ok with me hiring these people...when all along...he is in no position to make the decisions. I must do that.  Life seems to be bringing me close to so many that have been there with a parent.  We share our stories, our heartbreak, the stress and the tears. Its a very hard thing to do, watching a parent dying. So as I read Corey's blog tonight, it touched my heart. My heart to keep blogging, expressing my feelings regardless of how I feel about my lack of skills in writing.

Spellbound Continued

I could go on for days about Spellbound...I was organizing my pics tonight and here are some more thoughts on the event. Spell.bound (spel-bound) adjective: a feeling of being enchanted, fascinated...
The location was perfect, located at the beautiful and historic Langham Huntington Hotel in Pasadena, California. My pictures don't do it justice...

It was a special treat for myself, getting away to such a majestic place with creative friends. What good memories I have...here is some intricate cutting

Debrina Pratt's La Petite Ballet was so much fun. I had bought some of her work in the past and enjoyed the opportunity to meet this quiet & sweet gal that was a pure delight to be with.  I actually took another class from her called Little Blessings Shrine. Isn't this adorable?

I enjoyed opportunities to learn more techniques in soldering jewelry, in Kristen Robinson & JoAnn Pierotti's classes.  I talked about Kristen in an earlier post, and I must add that JoAnn is such a great teacher and taught me not to be afraid to try it and practice to get better. Create my own style. I added a great pic that I borrowed from JoAnn's blog, this is our class and we all encouraged each other with our baby steps in learning. It was full of laughter and a few burned fingers. 

Its late and I'll probably post one more time about my Spellbound Event. Got some great photos of the Hollywood Bowl Flea Market. 

Ice Resin Junky

Just over a year ago, I took an online class with Kristen Robinson, one of the most accomplished artist in the ice resin industry. Her class was easy to understand and I got the full concept  of how to mix and use ice resin. Crazy as it may sound...my cat got sick a couple days after I poured the resin and died 3 days later. I emailed Kristen in my panic state, and she assured me that she felt it wasn't the resin product. Regardless, I was in grief and couldn't go on with the rest of the class.

When I found out that Kristen was a teacher at the Guilded Life, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to meet her in person and learn from the best.  Words cannot express what a beautiful person she is. Her teaching skills show her generous heart and willingness to share her talent.  She is a sweetie. Hopefully, one day I will go and take another class from her.

I can honestly say...I think I am a ice resin junky.  I ready to make more jewelry with the resin.

Spellbound

Been away the past few days to an art escape in Pasadena, California....better known to my artsy friends as "Spellbound". Renewing old friendship, making new friendship,


It's been such a wonderful experience.


learning & creating,



shopping,



& a lush hotel to experience this event. More later on this event.


Thank you my love, for encouraging me to take this journey. I love you more than words can say.


And then on a more somber note, those of you that have been following me know that when I left, my Dad was in the hospital. I have this deep burning feeling that he has waited on my return, to take him home. I feel this need to be there for him.


More later my friends....Shalom, Teresa

Post of Joy...Post of Sorrow

So many good things are happening in my life, while at the same time my Dad is slowly sinking away. Sometimes, I feel I need to put my life on hold for him, while at other times I know I must live my life. A big trip for me is just around the corner. And the Dr. tells me today...that my Dad may not come home from the hospital. And if he does...we will bring in Hospice for his short days ahead.  So, I will give him my love everyday and know that is all that I can do. And I ask, please Daddy...don't go while I am gone. And please wait  till I return home. It makes me sad to think of going away in his few short days left on this earth, I fully knowing, that any day could be his last day.

Glitter Market

This past weekend I went to Oklahoma City to the Glitter Market. This is a small event every year just at the beginning of the holiday season. This was started by the gals at the Paper Crown, one of the best little scrap book stores around.  There is always a line of people to get in and I met some of the nicest people & made new friends standing in this line. As I have went through the past few years, I have been so fortunate to get to know many of these artist. They inspire me and give me just a good feeling inside when I see their smiling faces and their creations.

The talented artist that makes the jewelry that I love is Charlotte Perez. I met her two years ago at the Guilded Life in Dallas, Tx. She was a vendor there and I couldn't get over her work. I bought a couple pieces then and continue to buy more and more. I can't get enough of her jewelry. Not only do I love her jewelry, I love this creative woman. I look forward to going to Spellbound in California with her in a couple weeks and getting to know her better.  This is the piece I bought....beautiful, huh?

This beautiful journal was done by Robin Thomas, a talented friend I have come to know from Oklahoma City. I met her at Silver Bella, in St. Louis, a few years ago. I felt lucky to purchase this beautiful piece of work from her. She and I will be flying to Spellbound together in a couple weeks.

It seems like every year, Jackie Peters draws a crowd. The minute the door opens, everyone rushes to her table and good luck getting anything. Seriously, people start grabbing it up like its Black Friday at Walmart. You could understand if you saw her work. I read her blog, Good Grief Girdie and never cease to be amazed at her talents. She teaches many classes at Paper Crown. I had eyed these creations on her blog. So very glad that I got one.

This year there was a few new vendors....and I especially loved this one, the artist were Arlene Jacobs & Kay Tanger. They made these these beautiful cakes & angels of paper.

How lucky can I be...I love being with these beautiful creative souls, inspiring me to create. I want to mention a few more of the folks in this event that I cannot leave out....I will cover then in my next post. 

And at the end of the day...I come home to Dad being in a distressed state with his breathing. Dave & I tried to convince him to go to hospital. He would not. So, the next morning, we insisted he had to go. Once again...he is admitted for pneumonia. Keep my sweet Daddy in your prayers.

This evening was a moment of creating some gifts for friends at the oncoming Spellbound. It is fun just to release and let your creative juices flow...

Exciting Things Ahead

The year has flown by me and I can hardly remember it. It is hard to believe that we have come home after staying with my Dad for 8 months. It was very hard to leave him in the hands of the hired help. They are very qualified and much more than I to take care of him.  But, I can say that it is wonderful to slowly be getting back into my old routines. Blogging, crafting at my work table in the evenings, having a nice glass of wine with my husband when he arrives home from work, and sleeping in my own bed.

Now I have to share with you about my upcoming art event that I am attending in California.

Spellbound is the name of the event. Part of keeping true to the "Guilded Life" aesthetic, the historic Langham Huntington Hotel in Pasadena, California is where the event will be held. The hotel embraces the legendary tradition of luxury of the original Langham grand hotel of 1865 and is set on 23 acres overlooking San Marino.  Here are a couple photos....doesn't it look wonderful? Guess I've got to find my tiara.

Then I want to share a couple photos of classes that I will be taking. I will be taking 5 classes total, plus going to the Hollywood Bowl Flea Market.  

I took a class online from the gal that will be teaching this class. It will be so nice to meet her in person. 

I adore this...a few years ago, I made some versions like this...not quite as elaborate. I will be in my element in this class. I'm envisioning putting my granddaughters in one of these. 

Any of my friends that would see this necklace, could envision me wearing it. I'm a little nervous, just as much excited about learning the soldering technique for assembling this beautiful piece of jewelry. So, now I'm off to gather my supplies for classes, plan my wardrobe, & get started making some small gifts for friends. 

We have been home for one week. This time we have come home to stay. I have hired full time help for my Dad.  I spent the week stocking the refrigerator, cleaning out the flower beds, planting fall plants, raking leaves, and doing some deep cleaning around the house.
I'm hoping to be back blogging and crafting soon. I bought my first Mac for the home just about a month ago. I am really loving it, and hope to kick out the other desktop any day now.
Just a few weeks away from my trip to California, to Spellbound. A wonderful event where all my artsy friends will gather for a few days of classes, shopping, fellowship, a time of sharing and learning new techniques and skills. Its a little intimidating being with most of them, because most of these girls are very talented artist. I hope I can keep up. I guess I just need to focus on just having a good time and everything else will fall into place. More later....

Finally back home to Foxhollow, while Dad is in the hospital. We had him admitted for pneumonia and after only being in hospital for two day...he has MRSA. While he is hospitalized it is so nice to be in our home and sleep in our own bed.

We know that our care for Dad is not long term. He is dealing with many health issues at this time. He is 87. So, we are in hopes to keep him in his home for as long as we can. That is where he wants to be.

Its hard to believe that he worked six days a week up till 6 months ago. And since he has been totally bedfast. Hospitalized four times. We pray he heals and comes home soon.