Back from Peoria

What a whirlwind of a week! Although my plans to blog from Peoria fell through - the internet connection was very difficult! - we had a great time!! Margot, Penny & I had a 2 room suite at the Staybridge and were quite comfortable. We did manage to just about walk our feet totally off and kept some crazy hours. We met up with fellow chapter members and got to spend time with Kate, a former chapter member who now lives in Colorado - Hi Kate!!

Here is a photo of Margot teaching the tulip class. Margot taught 2 classes and Penny and I had a full roster of classes - Penny & I even had a Sharon Hamilton class together on Tuesday. We learned new techniques & even new words - my new favorite word is Orpiment - what it does to a painting is magic!

Unfortunately, none of us passed our certification boards - but it is a learning process for sure! I already have my packet for next year and am already thinking about how to approach the exercise. Hopefully the others will join me in trying again.

Peoria is quite a lovely small city on the banks of a beautiful river. There was a Riverfest going on while we were there - if only there had been more time to explore a bit. The three of us did make it out to a really nice steakhouse on Saturday night - with Kate & some other painters (there were 9 of us total). This was the closest thing to a real meal we had seen pretty much all week - lovely salad bar & steak! There were grill stations set up in the different areas - you could cook your own or pay a small fee & someone else would cook it for you. Needless to say, after being on our feet for days we all opted to have someone else do the cooking!

Everyone had a great time and is looking forward to next year's convention in Wichita. Come join us!

Off to Peoria!

The bee was quite fitting to represent what is soon to happen - members of our local painting chapter will be winging our way to Peoria for a very busy week.

Next week is my annual conference with the Society of Decorative Painters, so I will be blogging on the road. I'm rooming with a couple of friends, so it tends to be a fun "girl's getaway" with a lot of hard work involved! There are lots of classes to take, other artist friends to make or catch up with old friends. There are several of us waiting to see if we passed a certification board - we find out Wednesday morning! And, of course, shopping!!! Can't miss that trade floor. There are also lots of different parties and the banquet on Friday night.

Come along and get a taste of what convention is like. My plan is to take lots of photos & post every day, so let's hope the laptop cooperates and the camera holds out!

See you in Peoria...

June at Mind Wide Open

Found the time between deadlines to submit another entry into the Mind Wide Open challenge again. Gail hosts a really great challenge each month - she supplies the image & then the creative frenzy begins! I created the cover for a small journal. It is a perfect place to jot down those little sayings that strike your fancy.

Check out all the entries at www.mind-wideopen.blogspot.com & vote, vote, vote!!

Belle of the Ball

We went to EPCOT's Flower & Garden Show over the weekend and the photos from yesterday & today were taken there. Lovely weather - yay, no rain in sight!

Invitation to Tea?

Welcome to my summer tea party - would you like a cup? Miss Ladybug will be happy to serve you and Miss Honeybee will be providing the sweets! And the fairies will be sprinkling their magic over the festivities... won't you join in the fun?

It's About Time

There are so many new things in progress right now but nothing that can be shared just yet. Until then, here is part of a new piece that I can share with you. The background is one I created at Margot's last Art Experience. It has been altered a bit & is now at the embellishment phase. With a "time" theme, I may pull this canvas off the stretcher bars & mount it to a more sturdy background, then mount up a battery operated clock mechanism. An art piece that talks about time should keep it as well, don't you think?

Happy Mothers Day

Here's to mothers everywhere! My mother has always been a source of inspiration & comfort. She is my cheering section as well as the voice of reason...whether I agree or not! We laugh together & cry together - sometimes at the same time.

My husband occasionally complains that I am just like my mother... and I can think of no better compliment!

I love you, Mom

Spring Fling Part Two

Penny & I created two separate tables for Spring Fling - yes we are crazy!!! Here are photos of our second table. This table was a lot of fun to put together - we each had elements to provide for the bags. Penny's sewing skills rock!!

The contents of the make-up bag are not in the photo. There was a small round mirror & beautiful hand made earrings by Margot's niece, Heather, & her friend, Amanda. Heather & Amanda's work can be found on Margot's website (see sidebar for address). They make lovely jewelry out of hand made paper beads & each item is a one-of-a-kind creation.

I am so blessed to be surrounded by such creative people...

Spring Fling is finally over!! It was a LOT of work but everyone had the most wonderful tablescapes, we had a great lunch, and everyone had lots of fun at the auction... and I am TIRED!!! Here are a few photos of one of the tables my friend, Penny Brown, and I put together.

Roses, roses everywhere!

Still working on the Spring Fling stuff but there is light at the end of the tunnel... which is fast approaching. See the light on the roses? That tunnel end is in sight!