~ SeReNdiPitY ~

Seen any good movies lately?

I finally saw

"Alice in Wonderland"

 and must say...

it was quite entertaining.

Serendiptously,

a recent antiquing adventure

presented tiny treasures...

plucked right from the story!

Silly characters.

Artfully inspiring...

alas, banners to create!

Lots of color!

Texture.

And pattern.

A virtual WoNdErLaNd

of ideas abound

after seeing this film!

For more muchness and a fabulous party

visit The French Cupboard's

MAD TEA PARTY, MAY 1st!

PAPER COWGIRL ~ Registration is Open!

~ ANNOUNCING ~

Grand Opening of

~Paper Cowgirl 2010~

~ Altered Art Retreat ~

REGISTRATION

Yep, registration begins today for the

best little art retreat in Texas.

  A variety of techniques in multiple artistic mediums

 will be taught in Waxahachie, Texas, June 24-26, 2010.

FuN, FeLLoWsHiP, ArT, GrEaT FooD, 

VeNDoR ArT and SuPpLiEs SHoW!

Check out the Paper Cowgirl site and the

Paper Cowgirl Registration site. 

Classes are limited to 20 students, so sign up quickly!

There will be 12 classes offered, and

I am thrilled to be teaching a jewelry making class.

Hope to see y'all there!

~ Front Yard Winter ~ Back Yard Spring ~

Today is the first day of Spring, yet

Texas is not ready to surrender Winter's chill.

View from the front yard boasts

Winter clouds,  almost imperceptible snowflakes.

Back yard bears the wonders of Spring with

Redbud trees in full violet bloom,

clover sprinkling the emerging lawn, budding trees,

sun rays freely dancing about.

As the sun hides behind the gathering clouds, the

bleakness of Winter lingers, with a

sullen mood, tweaked only by the persistent 

colorful emergence of Springtime beauty.

 These photos were taken within a two minute time frame.

**edited ~ next day, dusting of snow** 

 

**edit complete**

Spring Reigns!

As I post, the sun has set and the

snowflakes have increased in number.

Tomorrow, Springtime will reveal its glory,

as Texas Winter fades to a memory.

~Colors of Spring~

~  SPRINGTIME  ~ 

 resplendent with renewing gifts of nature.

Kaleidoscope distortion of Mother of Pearl crosses and peace symbols.
As I am inspired by color,
 Springtime provides a multitude of  

palettes for creative catalysts.

Recently, I attended a local

Spring bead market and selected

beads which were appealing for

 seasonal creations.

Shades of

green and turquoise malachite,

coupled with cut crystal hearts.

Jade in saturated candy hues.

Glass in royal purple,

crystal with aurora borealis coat.

Mother of pearl crosses and peace signs.

Symbolic of the approaching

Easter season.

Symbolic of Promise and Peace.

Shades of Springtime.

Season of Renewal.

Season of Hope.

Season of gratitude and sharing 

Gifts so unselfishly

bestowed upon us.

Kaleidoscope distortion of Mother of Pearl croses and hearts.

May your week be sunny,

 bright and

resplendent with color!

~ Saddle Up! ~

You are in for a wild ride!

Paper Cowgirl altered art retreat

has announced 2010 instructors and classes.

Registration will start soon!

I am honored to teach a jewelry class this year.

More information and photos of my class in this post below.

Paper Cowgirl

instructors and classes are as follows:

Lisa McIlvain

Mixed Media Art Tags

*

Jennifer Babcock

Altered Bird Trinket Box

*

Mendy Mitrani

Digi Class
*
Dale Mclain (former PC teacher)

Sea Inspired Shadow Box
*
Jennifer Stewart

Beautiful 4th Banner
*
Ann-Denise Anderson (former PC Teacher)

Victorian Boots
*
Angela Berger

Shabby Classy Necklace

*

Chantal  Johnson

Inspirational Tag Book
*
Laverne Johnson

"Pocket" Book
*
Cindy Gilstrap

La Petite Boutique Altered Canvas
*
Deb Taylor

Found and Rebound Journal
*
Corrine Clark

French Paper Shoe
*
Sandra Feazel (former PC Teacher)

Beeswax/Painted Canvas
*
Joanna Lewis (former PC Teacher)

Feathered Friend Collage

Click on each teacher's name to visit their blog.

A dozen classes are offered this year.

Choose as many as you like when registration begins.

~ Shabby Classy Necklace ~

In this class you will learn various

beading basics such as tool use,

opening and closing jump rings,

wire wrapping,

joining chain and findings,

wire loops, clasps.

I will show you how to create a

wire wrapped and bejeweled lace bead.

.

We will learn how to attach a

vintage rhinestone jewel or buckle

 as the focal point of the necklace.

I will provide Swarovski crystal rondelles

and platinum and chocolate brown Swarovski pearls,

Czech glass druk beads, and vintage lace,

sterling oxidized wire,

oxidized silverplate chain, links and findings.

The necklace you create will be classy enough to wear with your dressier attire, yet

have just the right shabby appeal to partner with your favorite jeans and tshirt!

This year's event is in Waxahachie, Texas

June 24-26, 2010.

So, if you want to have a

boot scootin' time,

join us for Paper Cowgirl!

You can lasso your choice of classes when official

signups begin.  I will keep you updated here on my blog.

Paper Cowgirl blog as well as instructor blogs

will also have updates to

the best little retreat in Texas!

Button created using Cowgirl image from  Graphics Fairy!

Y'all have a great week!!

~ Studio Inspiration ~

 Morning light

is shining brightly this morning in my studio.

Seldom do I create by the light of day.

Rather, it is by

moonlight

 that my stolen moments

to create are most abundant.

ATC ~ Title: "Party Cloudy, Chance of Rabbits"

And it is evening when my

 creative muse is most present.

Visions of castles, crowns, and cake

beckon me - stay awake.

Shelves present tools at the ready.

Shelves also cradle my creations.

And ingredients.

Fairy sightings.

Canvas collections.

But alas,

the tidiness disappears.

And creative chaos ensues.

Actually, this is my best creative environment.

Even my faux floral collection in enamel bucket

 inspires with realistic form.

An angel, atop my New Mexico style vignette,

is a gift from my mother, years ago, and watches over

my creative space.  Thank you, Mom.

Sigh...

My muse must settle for a bit

while I tend to the dailies,

you know...laundry, "shoveling the floors",

and light cleaning.

And later ~ by light of the

Filigree Moon,

 ~my creative muse will emerge ~

refreshed, and ready to

InSpIre!