Sunday, January 2, 2011

Happy New Year 2011 & A Recap of 2010

New Year from Lisa I hope that each of you had a SAFE & Happy New Year’s Eve. We had friends in for dinner & learned to play a new card game called Pinochle. I remember as a child my beloved Grandmother had her Pinochle club once a month & it was a BIG DEAL! Dinner was served & the playing began. Ginger & Jerry taught us how to play & said we caught on quickly. It is a very detailed game with strategies to learn, meld to count, & learning to bid. We look forward to practicing & becoming good players. How did you RING IN THE NEW YEAR?Winter

I know winter has gotten a hard grip on much of the United States & Europe. I hope that you are each warm & safe. Many are probably trying to hibernate & stay warm. Or maybe you are like me & are lying around thinking about what you want to do in 2011…ATT000072

Last year my word for the year was KNOWLEDGE & I did sooooooooooooooo many fun things that involved learning. I went to many art events & classes. Starting in January I went to south Texas to attend the class called Resolutions of the Heart (go HERE & HERE to see)by my precious friend Diane Cook. Below is a photo of US & the necklace I created in that class.Resolutions of the heart collage Next it was February where I attended my first Gilded Life Event in Dallas, TX with Shea & Debbie. Here I met my amazing friends Sandy & Charlotte. I was blessed to attend 3 Gilded Life Events this past year. If you are interested in seeing the posts from these go to my sidebar & click on LABELS – A Gilded Life & you will go to all of the events to view what an amazingly wonderful time we have with these MAGICAL GALS!

001 Gilded Life Plaque Shea & Debbie by Jessi

March was Adorn Me in Houston, TX. (again you can go to LABELS to find the posts for this for more info) I was so excited to meet back up with many of my FRIENDS & MENTORS! Here’s OUR GROUP…

SONY DSC

Left to right: Melissa Manley(an instructor at the event & my roommate), Deryn Mentock, Diane Cook, Diana Frey & Riki Shumacher. I have remained in touch with all these gals throughout the year & feel so BLESSED to call them friends. I am looking forward to sooooooooooooo much more fun with you all in 2011. My classes for this event were: #1 Crystal Princess with Diane Cook.Crystal Princess  collage Left her class sample, next Diane teaching & last my necklace created in class. I also started a second one that remains unfinished…. Hmmmm maybe that should be on 2011 list. #2 Deryn’s Class. Love her & the sample piece. My piece from this class is again… unfinished but, will be finished I PROMISE!Deryn Class collage

And the last class was with Diana Frey. Here is Diana teaching & my finished necklace.Twisted Sistha collage

April was Gilded Life again & a class with Kaari Meng of The French General. Kari Ming collage

And my piece made in Shea’s class now attached to the necklace I made in Diana’s class at Adorn Me.SONY DSC

Later in April was Petticoats & Parasols which was hosted by Jenn Hayslip in Savannah, GA. This was my first LARGE Art Event & I LOVED IT! The keynote speaker was none other than Jo Packham of Where Women Create Magazine. Go to LABELS & see all the fun we had there.Petticoat collage

May brought another class in south Texas with Diane Cook & this is my bracelet which was my finished piece from “Etched & Layered”. Finished piece collage

June brought Paper Cowgirls again in Texas & I got to hang with sooooooooo many of my Texas ART friends(too many to name but, oh girls what a blast to hang with those that I knew & hook up with some I had only met blogging & NOW it is so amazing to know you in person).

Cami & Charlene at Meet & Greet

A class with Mendy Mitriani on Photoshop Elements. Medny class collage

A class with Laverne Johnson… Again, look at the Lables & go to the posts for more.012 E Laverne's Class

July… Be still my heart it is time to go to California for Les Sirenes which was my first event hosted by the infamous Kim Caldwell.Group  Photo Kim The teachers(go to Labels/posts to get links to each), Kim & Keynote speaker Jenny Doh.Teachers Kim & Jenny by Kim

And my amazing tablemates… TABLE TWO ROCKS!DSC02293

Then there was a big break in the Art Event/Classes for a few months when Hubby had open heart surgery & I am so very THANKFUL that all went well there & he is on the mend & BACK AT WORK!!!!!!!!!

DSC02401 My Finished Project

September (above) brought a class taught by my amazing friend Lisa & sweet Charlotte (that I mentioned from February Gilded Life)attended that too. What a great time we had in our little group. The photo on the right is my finished project from that class.

October brought my precious Sandy to Texas for a weeks visit as well as the last event of the year for Gilded Life. SONY DSC And we got to meet sweet Cindy.

DSC02786 And make these royal treasures.

Picnik collage Crowndalier

Picnik collage Day One Crown Details

Then there was the controversial “Bottle Class” which I haven’t shared yet (but, will show you soon). & last but not least… a class in San Antonio with Diane Cook where the internationally known teacher Mary Hetts taught us metal working. You will see Mary & I below as well my finished piece (Two Peas) from the class.Mary & Pea collage

I shared so many of them with you in this years posts & I wanted to thank you for going along on this journey with me. I am thinking about what I want my word of the year to be this year. I am thinking it should be EXPLORE! What do you think? Do you have a word for the year or a resolution? Share it with me if you do. Take a little time & choose one (or more than one if you want). Now I’m off to grill steaks with my son’s family & top dinner off with a chocolate cake I made earlier today. I think the diet has to wait another day!!!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR MY PRECIOUS FRIENDS!

HUGS! Charlene

18 comments:

Maija said...

You had so many great adventures in 2010! I'm excited that we will be adventuring together again in 2011!!

LuLu Kellogg said...

What a wonderful year it has been for you, especially since Honey came through his surgery and is doing well! You took some fabulous classes and learned so much!

I hope 2011 brings you abundant creativity, love and good health my beautiful friend!

March will be here before we know it and I can't wait!

Love,
LuLu~*xoxo

Jan Hennings said...

All of these are just beautiful and I'm sure you gained much knowledge in 2010 :)
Your pictures are all so good and it looks like you're having fun....you look great in a cowgirl, hat!!! YIPEE :)
Happy 2011!!

Nan said...

Charlene I know from reading you blog you did a whole LOT in 2010. You had some fantastic experiences with these talented women and gained so much skill from your classes with them. All the best to you this New Year.

Sandy Navarro said...

What a wonderful year you've had my dear friend. I'm so happy that I've been a part of it. I know my year and my life would not be the same without you! I love that you chose a word for your year and I think explore will fit quite nicely. My word is FabUlous (of course) and it fits so many situations, including my friendship w/you.

Love ya!

Sandy said...

Charlene,

I think you covered both knowledge and explore in this past year as you learned so many new techniques, explored art mediums, and traveled to new places. You had a fun year! I too am so glad you man is on the mend and to hear that he is healthy enough to return to work and your busy active social life, what a blessing and a praise!

I hope this new year finds you both healthy, happy, and incredibly blessed! Loved getting to know you this past year!

mo said...

Hi Charlene, 2010 went by fast but you sure did make the most of it. Looks like you had a blast doing it too. Happy New Year. *hugs*

mendytexas said...

I'm honored to be included in your year of art and fun! You are such a sweetie!!I hope 2011 brings more crafting adventure!! Hugs! Mendy

Robin Thomas said...

I think I need to pack myselfinto your suitcase in 2011!

I was at that Kaari class at the Church in April. Jemellia and I sat at the far end (away from the kitchen)of the table! Ha we were there together and didn't know it. It was a late night. I love Kaari.

I am off to look up Diane Cook. Rita is taking a class with her this spring.

XX!

Karin said...

Well....you know I'm a bit biased when I say that table #2 rocked!!!

Sonya Badgley said...

Wow! Charlene you were a busy girl last year! I think your word explore could be for last year too! How fascinating it must have been to learn all these techniques. I hope I can do that some day.

I am thankful that your husband is back to work and healthy once again.

I pray that this new year brings you more good health, happiness and much exploring!

Blessings,
sonya

Jill Marcott-McCall ~Feathers & Flight~ said...

Hello Miss Charlene!
What a Wonderful Adventure! Learning New Things and Making Friends.. Gosh I can't think of Anything Better than that! I am So Glad our Paths Crossed! I Enjoy our Visits so Much!
Happy New Year to you!
Hugs
Jill

the old white house said...

Wow Charlene you have been so busy, and have made so many beautiful things! It looks like 2010 was a great year for you, I think explore is a word you can put to the test! Thanks so much for stopping by, I'm going to check out some of your older posts so I can read more about all of the 'knowledge' you soaked up! Theresa xoxo

Karen said...

Oh quite a year you had my friend! I am so glad we got to meet in Savannah and now are going to get to see each other again at Round Top! I am so excited! I can't wait!
And you got a new puppy - that is just the icing on the cake!
have a wonderful day! Happy New Year!
Hugs! Karen

Alisa Noble said...

Both our boys were gone on New Year's Eve, so the Farmboy and I had a very quite evening on the couch watching the movie Salt. We barely made it til 12!

Jacqueline said...

That's it, I am moving to Texas and coming along with you! What a fantastic year and what a great collections of jewels and baubles and knowledge. How fun. Wish I had been in your suitcase for each fun event.

Monica said...

My dear Charlene,
what a beautiful year you had! I'm so glad your hubby is doing well, and that now you both have sweet Elle to keep you busy:))
Will announce my word on my blog when I have something ready to show with it ;)) Your own word is very interesting, can't wait to see what you are going to explore in 2011...
Kisses to Elle and you from sweet Kim xoxo
Monica x

Sugar Lump Studios said...

WOW! 2010 was an awesome year for you with so many experiences and gorgeous projects! I hope 2011 will bring many blessings your way! :)

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