My Love Letter to America

Dear America:

gaithersburg, md

I've called you home my whole life, but it took living abroad to find such deep appreciation & love for you.  The past 3 years I've left time & time again for exotic locations & every time I return you welcome me back with open arms.

clarksburg, md

lighthouse point, fl

hagerstown, md

hillsboro beach, fl

It's the small things that make me happy when I visit.  I am free to make the choice to drive as a Sunday driver or like a bat out of hell.  Both have consequences, both I am free to choose.  I can chose which craft store to go to, which Target location, even which state I shop in but I am free to choose.   I can choose to have baked cheetos or good old fashioned calorie loaded cheetos.  These are not life altering choices but I have them every time I come home to you.

deerfield beach, fl

So as I leave you again for my next adventure, I smile knowing you will be here when I return.  Life isn't perfect here, but it's pretty darn close.

gaithersburg, fl

beallsville, md

A Little Road Trip

road trip!

A few months ago, I found out one of my favorite teachers Traci Bautista would be attending the Great American Scrapbooking Convention as an instructor.  I could not believe it would be happening while I was in the states & in my backyard.  I asked Grandma & Grandpa if they'd watch the kids while I took a little road trip.

me & Traci

It's always something for me to meet someone I've taken classes with online or "met" creatively via swaps or blogging.  Traci did not disappoint!  Her class was fun & she shared lots of ideas, techniques, favorite things to do & supplies.  It was so sweet that she remembered me from the online classes I've taken.  She sent me home with some mixed media supplies knowing I don't have access to much in Kuwait.

look, i got my book signed!

My canvas while a WIP

I took the Stylistic Scrawls Canvas Art Journal class.

Many of the found papers I was working on for my book.
The manila folder in the foreground is the cover for my journal.

Traci doing a demo for us

Traci's sample

So I still have to finish my journal.  I have all the pages done.  I'd like to add more to the cover & I have to stitch it together.  I'd really like to complete it since I'd like to use it as my summer journal.  I'm thinking of titling it "3 Months, 3 Countries".  Yep, that's the summer for me & the mini-men!

more demos - assembling the journal

If you have the chance I highly recommend taking a class with Traci.  The class time flew by, but I learned so much & had a chance to experiment with some new techniques & supplies.  She is a creative soul with a very kind heart!  I am so happy the timing was perfect for me to take a class with her.

The following are pieces I worked on during the scrap night.  This was what I posted on my FB page:
So I don't scrapbook & didn't even go to the convention. I just wanted to take a few classes. I even
went to an evening scrap session, but I made canvases. I always just do my own thing...

I just want to be around other creative people, that's all!

authentic 5x7 canvas panel WIP 

cupcake doodles 5x7 canvas panel WIP

home is where the heart is 6x12 canvas panel WIP

dancer 5x7 canvas panel WIP

to travel is to evolve 4x6 canvas panel WIP

Please Don't Make Me Leave...

I've been splitting my time between preparing the household & getting as much of Charlottesville into my system. Today my little man & I visited the downtown mall. I went to say goodbye to my beading friends at Studio Baboo.

I went to another store today for the first time, The Artful Lodger. It's a wonderful furniture store that has some great gifts. Look what I got! A Jill Schwartz shadow box. I'm in love :) I chatted with the store owner for awhile & really enjoyed it. Charlottesville has opened my eyes to "buying local". Being an artist myself, how could you not? This beauty is going in my art room in the new house. Looking forward to having a room vs. a corner this time around.

My Charlottesville Bucket List

My mosaic made with pictures from my Charlottesville photo set.

Oh, the sadness!! I've become quite attached to this city & I haven't even lived here for a year yet. I hope to be back eventually. Here's my bucket list for the next week & a half.

1. Just one more Beads & Lunch. I'm gonna miss this store & I'm going to miss the talented staff & wonderful regulars that have welcomed me with open arms. If you visit downtown Charlottesville, this is a must stop.


2. I also need one more estate sale. I've gotten to know Beverly & her staff as I've became a regular. They treat everyone so well. I'll not only miss the good shopping, but again, the wonderful people.


3. Fridays After Five ~ I'm gonna miss the music & the kettle corn. Fun & yum!


4. Ruckersville, VA ~ Antique/junking shops galore :)


5. The Barn Swallow

I'm Such a Freak - Art & Soul Part 1

Does Art & Soul have to be over? Can't I stay & play with pretty paper & blow torches? I had the best time! I waited 3 years to attend & it was well worth it.

So how am I a freak? Read on...

I was not able to take a class from Stephanie Lee, but she signed a copy of her book for me. I adore her techniques & work.

Saturday during our lunch period, I got in the elevator to head back to class. It stopped & in walked Sally Jean!! I about jumped out of my skin. When I bought her book, I kept telling my hubby it was the bible of soldering. I couldn't put it down. This time around, my schedule didn't permit me to take a class with her, but I bought a few pieces from her (I own Sally Jean's work), she signed my book, & I took a picture with her. I caught her before class this AM & I had NO MAKEUP on. I look horrendous, but I have a picture with her :) I also still have coffee in my hands!

The class I took was with the lovely Jane Wynn. If you ever have a chance to take a class with Jane, do it! She's an awesome teacher to learn from. She's patient & has a wealth of information to share. You can really tell she loves what she does. Jane is very creative & oh so witty. I was lucky enough to buy one of her jewelry pieces & she signed her book for me too.

I'm ready for my next art retreat. I don't know when I'll be able to go again, but I know I need to. I'll post more pics in the next post.