Julie Nutting's Class

 

I recently took a class with Julie Nutting, artist and author of Collage Couture.  She taught us how to make these wonderful  Valentine paper dolls.  Three different dolls all with the same body.  I love them.  Pick up her book.  This is something I could make daily and feel like I really created something cute.

 

 

 

The other day my friend Cynthia came over and we created canvases together.  These are unusual colors for me to use.  I usually love the cool tones…purples, pinks, blues, and teals.  The texture on this canvas was created with encaustic wax, which was fun to play with.

 

 

Here is Cynthia’s beautiful encaustic piece.  It has a lovely old world look to it. 

 

It was a fun day and I hope we do it again soon.

 

My next paper doll is going to be a larger canvas.  I think I want to go big on the dress, with vibrant colors.  Stay tuned!

Technorati Tags: Julie Nutting,Collage Couture

Fun For Me

Prior to Christmas, I made two paintings that I liked quite a bit.  They were both created as white elephant gifts for the two creative book clubs I participate in.  The parameters of the white elephant swap was that the gifts had to be handmade and they had to be something I would want to keep.  I think I accomplished that.  I had a lot of fun painting them and I really wanted to keep both of these paintings. 

I was so excited that at both clubs the paintings were very well received.  My girlfriend affectionately calls them my "big head girls."  

By the end of the swaps, the paintings went to two lovely ladies that I feel confident are happy with them.  If I couldn't keep them, I am happy that they went to good homes and will be well loved.

Utter Rambling

I pretty much spent December in bed. I have a herniated disk and there's an excruted fragment lodged against the nerve, which is causing serious (I mean sometimes a 10) pain. Taylor graciously put up some christmas decorations for us. We had a lovely low-key christmas. Some of my kids and inlaws came over. We had to cater it because I couldn't cook. One of my grand babies was here and he was a total joy. He's too young to understand anything about Christmas. Still, he was so fun.

I saw my doctor on December 5 and didn't get the MRI until the 31st. Finally got the results and my options on January 10th. That's more than a month of taking meds to get through it. I have pain killers but I hate them almost as much as the pain. I have a nerve med that finally seems to be helping, but it makes my brain crazier than it already is. My memory is completely shot. I don't know how it can get worse, but it is!

I was just telling a couple of friends that the worse part about these types of illnesses is that they are invisible. No one can see them. My insecurities come out and I wonder if people think it's not real, or maybe I'm a hypochondriac, or worse, just a complainer. Truth is, sometimes I am a complainer, but that's because I get sick of the pain and I get sick of waiting.

When I got the results of my most recent MRI, at first I was elated because I felt sort of validated that, YES, there is something wrong with me. I'm not crazy! Course, then the realization that there's something wrong with me sunk in.

The good news is that I am not alone. I have a wonderful husband who always takes care of me. I have a fabulous daughter who helps me more than she'll ever know. My very loving sister and my best friend both check in on me even if only for some phone company.

I have a home and food and two cars. I have a room full of art supplies. I can walk and I can think. These two things are difficult for me, but I can do them.

I'm taking an online class right now with some girlfriends because that's what I can do. I'm playing Words with Friends with my son-in-law because that's another thing I can do. I spend time with friends as much as possible because it makes me happy and that's what I can do.

It's amazing the things you think about when you're incapacitated. I've been making lots of lists. Lists of goals for 2012, art supplies that I need, that I don't need, bills, things to do, prayers, gratitude lists, lists of things I want to learn. Then there's the lists of things I need to do to the house, the yard, buy for the house...bla bla bla!

I saw the Ali Edwards challenge and decided I needed a WORD. I had to make a list about that.

2012 Word:  HEALTH

What does it mean to me?
Getting my back as strong as possible
Lose weight: be aware of everything that goes in my mouth
Exercise: physical therapy, walking, 
Drink water
Acupuncture 
Massage
Feeling good about myself: hair, skin, nails
Keeping my brain active: games, reading, art, 
Clearing the clutter from my home and my life

Dr. oz says:
Eat mindfully with full concentration to get the maximum pleasure from food and to keep from slipping back to old patterns. 
It's easy to slip back. You will have to fight to get back on track.  
You are trying to rewire your brain. It takes less time to slip back then it does to stay on track. 
Stress affects the pleasure center in the brain that makes you crave and want to eat more.
Exercise, do art, play w grandbaby, meditation. 

Jeez, life still goes on with or without lists.

Made the decision to get more injections in my back. It should help the pain, and keep me away from the surgeon for awhile. So, here I sit waiting just to get an appointment with the pain specialist who will give me the injections.

I'm thinking I need to get over it and perhaps make another list about something.

Charity Wings 2nd Annual Seaside Soiree

The 2nd annual Seaside Soiree was even better than the first.  If you attended last year, you know how fun it was.  If you attended this year…lucky you! 

Here we all.  I love this picture.  What a great group of ladies.  They are all so special and so talented. 

 

Once again, we were at the Oceanside Marina Suites where we had an exquisite view of not only the marina, but also the jetty.

 

I could sit at the point of the property, right on the water, and watch boats of all sizes and shapes going out to sea, or coming back in the evening.  In the early morning, the kayakers were plentiful and fun to watch, as I said good morning to my husband on the phone and drank my first cup of coffee.  It was truly heaven.

 

The minute we got there, we began making things.  We actually made an adorable badge pouch out of duck tape.  The pouch was so we could carry our room key.  You didn’t need to carry money because everything was inclusive, including the food, the suite and all the classes.

 

Here she is…

Miss Vicky!  She was one of our class instructors.  She taught us how to make an embellished bottle to add to our already cute mermaid necklace.

 

All of our food was excellent.  There was not one thing I didn’t like, from the fabulous Italian food from Villa Capri, to the unbelievably yummy French Toast and Egg Casserole that Sheila made.  In fact, Sheila made many of our meals.  There’s nothing like an especially good tuna sandwich and a hot cup of soup when you’re in the middle of a creativity surge and don’t want to stop…particularity when it was made and served to you by someone else.

 

Did I mention PAMPERED!  Oh yes!  Thanks to Elena and Sheila and their incredibly caring staff, Glenna, Sarah, Ally, Lisa and Camille, we were pampered and loved all weekend.

 

It’s all in the details!

 

Here’s my roommate and new friend, Nadine who was a wonderful hoot!  She made that darling apron.

 

We were so privileged to have Jen Cushman, mixed media artist and author of the book, Create, Resinate and Explore, as one of our teachers.  She became friends immediately with everyone because that’s how she is… So loving and friendly!

 

We learned how to make Resin paper.  All these ladies are so talented.

 

Jen is carefully stirring the ICE Resin. 

We made a fabulous pendant that consisted of sand, shells, pearls and ICE Resin.  After adding charms, sari fibers and a closure, we created a beautiful bracelet with the pendant.

Here is my resin paper. 

 

We turned this resin paper into this necklace. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meet the Diane’s.  That’s what we called them because they are good friends and always together.  “Where are the Diane’s?”  Here they are in front of the room where everything happens…classes, meals, coffee, everything!

 

It was early December in San Diego. 

We had beautiful weather.

 

Michelle Cummings is a returning instructor who taught how to make a beautiful beaded wand.

 

My sweet friends, Glenna and Nadine

 

Lovely lady, Cheryl Waters, Lead Fiskateer with Fiskars, taught us some painting and collage techniques. 

 

Here is the beautiful collage painting that we each made in our class with Cheryl. It’s always amazing how, even with the same materials, each one is different.

 

Our fabulous volunteers served us an extraordinarily wonderful lunch in these cute sand pails.

 

Another wonderful returning teacher is Liz Hicks.  She taught us how to do a journal cover using lots of interesting new techniques.  Or, at least new to me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I must tell you about the Giving Tree!  Every morning and evening there were gifts for each of us on the Giving Tree.  How special is that!  These are beautiful ornaments that were handmade by Sheila.

 

We invited guests to our Dinner and Silent Auction on Saturday night.  It was a blast!  I won several items at the auction that I’ll treasure.

 

I wish I would have taken pictures of our suite.  It was two bedroom, two bath, with a living room, dining room and full kitchen.  We had five ladies in our suite and we had the best time together.  At night, we would sit on our round couch and talk and laugh and enjoy each other.  It was such a pleasure to bond with these ladies.

There is so much more that I wish I could tell you, but that might ruin it for next year.  It’s all in the details!

Plans are already being made for the 3rd Annual Seaside Soiree.  It will be the first weekend in December.  Go to Charity Wings and get on the email list so that you get the information as it unfolds.  You will be given the opportunity to make payments if you like, which is what I did this year.  It’s so much easier on my budget. 

I can’t wait to go again.  It’s one of my most favorite events.  I hope you’ll think about joining me in 2012

Technorati Tags: 2nd Annual Seaside Soiree,Oceanside Marina Suites,Miss Vicky,Villa Capri,Elena,Jen Cushman,ICE Resin,Michelle Cummings,Cheryl Waters,Fiskateer with Fiskars,Liz Hicks,Charity Wings

Being a YaYa is Fun!

The babies were over on Monday.  Matty likes to touch Alex.  She's very intrigued by him.

Alex isn't sure how to handle her.  Typical boy huh!

These two babies are cousins and they are only three weeks apart.  Matty is 15 lbs. and Alex is 25 lbs.  Big difference.  Matty is in the 50 percentile and Alex is in the 96 percentile.  Both of their scores are in height and weight.

I am really enjoying these little grandbabies. 

Are You Going to Seaside Soiree Art Retreat?

You simply must!  I am!  I absolutely can't wait!  I had such a fabulous time last year.  It is one of my favorite events because it's not only charity, but also class oriented.  I came home with a wealth of knowledge and ideas, not to mention some neat projects.  And, it was for Charity. 

It's small and cozy...only 35 people.  I like that.  I spent time with friends and made some new ones. 

The price is very reasonable considering everything...a gorgeous suite on the harbor, your own bed, all the food, and ALL the classes and supplies are included.  Oh and, of course, a goody bag and goodies all weekend. 

Go read about last year.

I blogged a lot about it last year.  Go here for pics and my blog post.

Here are the details for this year:

December 2-4th, 2011

Oceanside Harbor, which is in San Diego County.

Go to Charity Wings to learn more and register.  While you're there, be sure to check out this year's amazing artists.  There's a list of them...including, Cheryl Waters, Traci Bautista, Jen Cushman, Paulette Adams.  You get to take all the classes. 

This is one art retreat you absolutely won't want to miss.  I know you'll have a great time.

Technorati Tags: Charity Wings,Seaside Soiree,Cheryl Waters,Traci Bautista,Jen Cushman

Here Piggy Piggy

I just have to tell you about my best friend, MB's brood.  Yes, that is a pet piggy.

She has a pig, a Rottweiler, and two blind kitty's.

Ruben is the pig.  He has only recently been adopted, but has had no trouble making himself quite at home.  He sleeps indoors. He loves to go outside and nap, play and root around, but he's white so he can easily get sunburned.

Pigs have the mentality of a 3 year old so they must be watched and they require lots of attention.  However, they also sleep about 18 hours a day.

When it becomes dark at night, it's like a trigger.  Ruben immediately lays down on his bed, pulls his covers over himself and doesn't wake up for anything until about 8:00 the next morning.  In this pic, he is napping beside his bed.  See his little feet curled up under his big body.

Yes, Ruben is considerably over weight.  His other family kept him inside all the time because they lived in the city where you are not suppose to have pigs.  Now he has a nice yard to run, play, nap and graze in. You should see him run.  It's a crack-up.

This is Abby the Rotty.  She and Ruben have let each other know that they are not interested.  She is an unbelievably submissive, sweet dog, but only to a point.  You don't want to make her mad.  Pigs have a bad trait in that they will push and push until they get themselves in trouble and then don't know how to get out.  Another reason why Ruben has to be watched.

This is little Stevie Wonder.  Stevie was born without eyeballs...hence the name.  He truly is a wonder and one of the sweetest, most loving cats I've ever met.  Being blind hasn't bothered him a bit.  He literally plays fetch with a crinkle ball.

Last but certainly not least is Blind Kitty.  There were lots of names, but that's the one that stuck.  We also call her Mommasita.  I don't know why.  She doesn't have eyeballs either.  She's a full grown, tiny kitty.  She was there first and not particularly happy about the others.

Everyone of these animals are rescues.  Thanks to people like my friend who open their hearts to provide these beautiful babies with their forever home.

A Fairy Class with Suzi Blu

My friend Suzi Blu is going home to New Jersey.

Before she goes, we had to fit in one last class.  We created a pretty fairy painting.

We started by drawing our faces in pencil.  Then we added a couple of different textures, such as molding paste.

We used stencils for some of the design.  The rest of the textures were added with a knife. 

Suzi, Christine, Gina and Anna

Here's our little group of students.  At this point we have completed the first day.  Need to let the texture elements dry completely.

The next day, we began adding color with sprays, paints and powders.  It was an awesome process.

Proud of my painting.

Gina and Anna with their beautiful paintings.

Suzi caught a few moments in between helping her students and not only created the painting above, but also worked on several of her unfinished projects.

This was our inspiration piece that Suzi actually created for the class.

It was a super informative class because of all the techniques we learned.  It was a wonderful, rich class because of the pretty face we learned to draw.  It was a fabulous experience because I learned to paint a beautiful fairy and gained so much more confidence in my art.  Suzi is not only a fabulous artist and teacher, but she also has a unique ability to reinforce confidence that one doesn't even realize they already possess.

Well, now that my Suzi is leaving, it will be online classes for me for awhile.  Rest assured, I'll be saving my pennies to visit my Jersey girl very soon. 

Technorati Tags: Suzi Blu