Oh my....

 What a time we had!!

More pictures to follow....I'm just swamped trying to catch up with "life" !!

Me and the girls....

 We are packing up and heading out!  

We are flying off to play with clay and make some New Jersey friends. 

I'll take lots of pictures to share with you when I get back.

Have a great week!

Happy New Year!

Wow!  I hadn't planned on being gone this long.  Really I didn't.  I'm not sure where the time went but I know I probably left it somewhere between the mall and the pumpkin pie!  I hope you had the most excellent holiday season.  I certainly did.

So let me tell you about the gift I received from my 12 year old son, Trey.  It is certainly the BEST GIFT EVAH !!  So inexpensive and so thoughtful....and so easy to do.   It's a family book that he made on the Apple website.  It only cost 30 bucks...and it is so wonderfully thoughtful and lovely.  I adore it!

 This is the cover.

 

 He made a page for each of the kids.  This is his page.  He put photos of when they were younger and older on their pages.

 

 Shane's page.

Love the hair-do.

 Tyler's page.  Love that baby picture.  He was on the inside of the sliding glass door just rubbing his face all over the glass.  So silly.  I sure miss those days.  Oh and that is him now.   A senior in High School.  I can barely believe it.

 Then Trey put lots of other snaps of the family in. 

I must say I was SO totally surprised and blown away.  I usually know all my presents because if I say I want something....that is what I get.  It never waivers.  It is just easier on the boys, doing it that way.  And I certainly don't mind.  

And yes...I did shed a tear or two.  

So sweet.  I told you...the best gift EVAH!

This would be so great to put together after a memorable vacation too!

~~~

So I'm finally back in the studio, getting some work done!  Yay!  It's been way too long.  It feels so great to be amongst the fabrics and trim and being able to be creative again.

Guess what?  

We have a new addition to our family.  Yup...here she is (click on the photo to enlarge).  The husband brought her home from the local liquor store where he buys his lottery tickets.  Since the season is over they were kicking her out of the store.  Well of course the husband couldn't resist!  He brought her home right away.  All 3 boys fought over her and we decided that she could visit each of them, one at a time, starting with the oldest.  She lasted about 15 minutes in Tyler's room.  "She's creepy.  Everywhere I go in my room, it's like she's looking at me."  So into Shane's room she went.  She only lasted about 5 minutes in there and Trey said "no way" and put her in the Dining Room window.  She now greets the mailman and anyone else who comes for a visit.  Luckily we don't live on a street where people passing by can see our house!!

 Anyone interested in a Raiderette?

One spot available!

We had a cancellation in New Jersey....so if you were thinking about it...and missed the opportunity to sign up...it's your lucky day!!

The class dates are January 15 and 16 and we will be constructing this gal from top to bottom!

Contact Kecia for all the detail

or

Visit her blog for more information.

Warm Winter Web Sale

Santas, Winter Ladies, Snow ladies and more....

Come visit here

Sunday, December 5

5pm PST

Just what the doctor ordered !

 I must say that the last couple of months have been a bit of a blur for me.  Between dolly making commitments and family goings ons ... well it was time for a much needed getaway.   I spent the last 5+ days in Omaha, Nebraska at the warm and wonderful Silver Bella event.  

Karla Nathan, Valita Baxley, Natalie Hansen, Shannon Johnson, Cheryl Stoneham, Stacy McGinnis, Lonnie Jenck, Carol Spinksi, myself, Michelle Gellar, Cherie Wilson

(Photo lifted from Lori Oles facebook page)

I took one photo during those days.  That's it.  One.  This one isn't it.  I don't even remember what photo I took.  I just remember I pulled my camera out at one point and took a snap.  Instead of clicking my camera here and there I spent each and every moment soaking in everything and everyone that surrounded me.  Deep, old friendships, new friendships forming, tired eyes, surprised eyes, happy and amazed faces, incredible artwork, more incredible teachers.  I could go on and on.

These days in Omaha were not about mementos on paper or photos in my iphoto library.  They have become special memories in my head and heart.  

So now I am back. 

Recharged artistically, mentally, spiritually and filled with deep appreciation, love and admiration of my funny, sweet, talented, beautiful, warm...and did I mention funny... art~soul mates.

Sweet little tweets....

Flying off on a new adventure !