Life is a Collage....

Teaching....

 

Last weekend I was in Chehalis, Wa. co-teaching a class with Terri Brush.  It turned out really super, and I had a blast!  One of the students, Sheila picked me up at the Portland airport, and we were on our way...  Both of us stayed with Terri,  in her beautiful art filled home. She was a fabulous hostess... I mean when do you go visit someone and they offer to wash your hair in the salon attached to their house!  I didn't take her up on it, but was tempted!
  The first half of the first day, we made torched silver bracelets, and then the second half I taught the gals how to make pmc charms using a simple method with molds and stamps.
                          

                 
                           

                               

                            

                                 
    We had a fabulous lunch served up by Terri's sweet friend Donna.
How yummy does this look?....
                    
    Oh, and Terri, Sheila, and I stayed up til 3am crafting even more!


  On the second day, I went first, and we used a larger amt of clay which we rolled out, and cut, making more custom shapes.  Then terri taught a silver soldered chain, to incorporate the new silver pieces.  Here are some of the finished pieces...

                                
                                                         Carol
                    
                        Denise with her dragonfly creations.

                             
                             Miss Jenifer wearing her soldered charm and Pmc
                              creation.
                  
                                                     This fabulous creations was made by Mary...The focal medallion was made using a custom mold she made from a vintage button!

                                              
                 Colleen Made this lovely with a French flair...
                        

Go'in Topless.....

I really have been luv'in driving my convertible...even more that I thought I would. (good thing!).  Yesterday it was 104 however, and in the afternoon the top came up and the AC on! The evening is the best....and if it gets too cool, I even have heated seats.   My friend Stacey, said that she could picture us girls with scarves on our heads, sunglasses driving around with the top down!  (picture a 1950's movie)!   Nothing I would love more that to have that be a reality... Hopefully sometime soon, Girlfriend!

            
I took this out the top of my car the other evening on a road just outside Lodi...  Remember those wineries that I mentioned....

                          
This one of the newer ones... Abundance. I haven't been there yet, but it looked lovely.  There was a private party going on inside, and I could heat some great music coming from the courtyard. FUN!
                    
  Above is the Lodi Wine and Visitors Center, which has a tastings of regional wines, exibits on grape growing and wine making, and a wine and gift shop.  It is a lovely Tuscan style building, which is hard to see, since I took it while motoring by!  Click! Is that against the law?!

   I also took some snaps of our beautiful historic downtown....
           
                     

                                 

               
   School Street is beautifully tree-lined, and full of lots of nice restaurants with outdoor seating....On Thursday nights, Summer to early Fall, the street is closed off for "Thursday Night Market".  There are fruit and vegetable stands, crafts booths, wine and beer gardens, and people just visiting and having fun!

Tattoo...

I'm not a huge fan of tattoos. They're fine on other people, but I can't imagine committing to something permanent on my skin, that I may not like down the road. Or worse yet, may end up a different size or shape, if you know what I mean!
I do however like some of the tattoo inspired designs on clothing.  So I decided to do a "tat" inspired fine silver heart pendant.....
            

It's about 1 1/4" in diam. and is lightweight,  but shows up nicely. It's easy to put on too, with the magnetic clasp.  I plan on making more, with other inspirational words.  Any suggestions?

Love this...

When I was 15, my Dad bought a Fiat Spyder convertible that needed some work.  It was red with a black top, and right before I got my drivers permit..he sold it.  I was so bummed. How fun would it be to ride with the top down, wind in my hair?! Ever since, I have wanted a convertible. When I was a teen, my parents said it was too dangerous, and the insurance would be too high.  Practical cars followed...having a baby, need a four door to get the car seat in and out.  Child gets older, need a mini van to haul everyone around.  0% financing after 9/11....buy a brand new practical small suv...good for skiing, family, and travel... I really have loved my Ford Escape...
But.... the son is 20, we do have a 4wd truck, if we need to haul something....and it is does seat 5, if we need to take people with us...So,

  

 

This is my new car! Well, new to me anyway!  I love it!  It was between this and a Beetle convertible...but 6'4" husbands don't fit well in VW's!  And surprisingly, this car has lots of room inside...even in the back!  I'm heading out to Chehalis, Wa. to teach a PMC class next week, and then to Portland to meet up with some Bella's and take a couple of Lisa Kaus' classes. I almost wish I was driving!

Waterproof mascara...

Yesterday, my girlfriends and I went to see this.  Oh my.  I have to say it really was a wonderful movie.  If I had been watching it at home, I would have been sobbing...you know the kind where it gets caught in your throat, and out comes that horrible snorting noise?  It was all I could do to keep from doing that in the theatre.  I know that it was particularly difficult for my dear friend Sandi, as she had to watch her best friend/cousin go through Leukemia several years ago.  Afterwards, we went to have a cocktail.  Odd perhaps, but we toasted to family, life, and friends.  Nothing more important than that.

Happy 4th of July...

                                                        

Enjoy your day, and remember those who fought for our freedoms....