Good MOrning Everyone....Hoping that someone is still around after my absence here in this Land O' Blog. *S*
So much to tell you so this will be a long post so be warned.
After the drama with the medical issues we spent two days finalizing packing and preparing for our trip to Arizona to attend Art Unraveled.
We arrived on Wednesday morning and because we had a couple of days to kind of explore and Tom had never been to the Grand Canyon we headed North from Phoenix. We were very lucky to be able to call and get reservations for one night at the Canyon and it was a wonderful little side trip. Here are some views of a few of our experiences....
Us confused? Why would you ever think that?
First Views...
Such an awe inspiring place...
This is not us...we are definitely not that brave. In fact when it comes to heights we are WIMPS!
So, still being on East Coast time we were awake at 5:00 AM with the other crazy wildlife...
I kept thinking this next little fella was gonna jump right on Tom's face...kind of like that scene in Alien...
This this guy, who by the way was not alone....isn't he beautiful? These guys stood taller than Tom and that's not counting the antlers....
More canyon wildlife...
As we left the Grand Canyon we decided to head towards the Painted Desert. On the way more sites we had never seen...
Then acting like the Griswalds and being complete tourists we had to stop and see Sunset Crater Volcano and the Lava spills......
We ate at Miz Zip's on Route 66...GREAT FOOD & SERVICE
Then we made our way down into Oak Creek Canyon..the switchbacks you know...
Love the view the people in this house have...
More beauty...
Then it was on to the hotel in Phoenix to check in and pick up our packages that were sent ahead of us for vendor night. Can we say fragile guys? Luckily everything was intact and ready for the next day.
Setting up for vendor night...
Art Unraveled was a huge success and we had the best time!!! Everyone was so welcoming and so kind. Thank you all! Please be on the look out for a feature I will be doing on my neighbor on vending night Tricia of Vintage Bliss!
So we made it back home in time to unpack, do laundry, pack again, get supplies together and head to Los Angeles....
I have several F words to describe this trip....Freeways, Fear, Fire Alarms, Fretful and FRIENDSHIP!!!
Freeways and fear...well that's a given they go together hand in hand and God bless Tom for taking over the driving helm while we were there.
Fretful....well some of you will understand this very well.
Fire Alarms - Yep we had to evacuate the hotel around midnight on our last night there. It seems that an outside catering service left a burning chaffing dish in the elevator which set off all sorts of bells and whistles. Hearing "An emergency has been detected in the hotel and you must evacuate immediately" is not a pleasant thing. *S*
So, you might ask why in the world I was in Los Angeles. Wellllll, I was fortunate enough to sign up for a 3 day class with Judy Wilkenfeld!!! It was so fantastic. She is an awesome teacher and if you ever have an opportunity to take a class from her jump on it....like right that minute or the class will fill up.
There were 9 students in the class and I am so happy to say that we have bonded on a level that was so totally unexpected but so gratefully received. I count all of these women....students and instructor as close and dear friends and would consider myself very lucky if they felt the same of me.
Because the art community is a small one I know that some of you are aware of the drama that transpired on the last day of this class. It is not something I wish to go into here because there were feelings felt that day that increased the bond between all of us (excepting two of course). I miss you guys and cannot wait till we are together again.....hopefully soon....Colorado does sound wonderful doesn't it. *S*
Judy...you are an inspiration in many ways and you taught us so much during our time with you. Hugs!!
So we have been back home since Tuesday and I have been playing catch up at the necessary job as well as working on proposals for 2010 events.
I want to share some truly wonderful and great things with you this morning....
First, I will be teaching at K.C. Willis' Art Retreat Studio in Colorado in February, 2010!!!
I am so excited about this time with KC and cannot wait to step into her magical creative space!!! I will be posting photos of my workshops as well as dates by next week so be on the look out. *S*
Also on the calendar is a two day workshop in June at Lisa LaRosa's Inspirational Retreat for Learning in Agoura Hills, California. Not only am I excited about teaching at this awesome retreat but Tom will be cooking for everyone in the outdoor kitchen and he has already started his planning. *S* I will also be posting photos of this class soon so be on the lookout.
Another retreat that has been finalized for 2010 is Art Is...You in Connecticut!! We are sooooo happy to be going back to Connecticut to this retreat that I have been a part of as both student and teacher. Stay tuned for more information and photos of the workshops. Also, per Tom's initials, he has agreed to make scones. *S*
Beginning on September 1st you can enroll for two online classes I will be teaching at My Creative Classroom. I will be doing an altered tin class as well as a tape transfer tag class (remember those tags that I posted here about a month ago?). So, if you have ever wanted to learn either technique but have not been able to travel to any of the retreats this is a wonderful opportunity. I will post the links to the class tomorrow morning so please be on the look out. Please post or email me with any questions.
Sooooooooooo, that has been the last few weeks of our lives here. *S* For those that posted and emailed me during this time thank you so much for your concern and kind/uplifting words!
As a preview for next week look for the Yummy Yummy post on Tricia at Vintage Bliss and then on Thursday look for the Tried & True post on Kerin & Charley of Remnants of Olde. What a wild and wonderful time this is everyone! Thank you for being a part of my life.
Hugs,
Lesley