Paper Cowgirls 2012

Paper Cowgirls Art Retreat started off with a beautiful buffet of yummy Texas styled treats set up at The Doves Nest.

The opening night get together/kick off.

Everything headed up by The HEAD COWGIRL known as “BOSS LADY” or Cindy Mayfield. Here she is in all her Birthday Girl Glory showing off her Paper Cowgirl Birthday Card (YES! We had cake for her too).

The next morning kicked off the classes & my first was with my Buddy Beth Lentz who drove all the way from Kansas (with Karla)to be a Cow Girl!!!! This was Beth’s first time to teach at a large event but, she did a great job. The photo on the left shows our darling kits that she had prepared.

How adorable is that project? Mine is ALMOST DONE! I’ll share as soon as I get those finishing touches done.

She had a suitcase of wonderful treasures for us to pick through & use on our projects.

I got to sit next to my buddy Amy Boland & of course Lisa was on hand to visit & tease poor Beth unendingly!!!! She kept whispering “tell her she’s a terrible teacher or ask LOTS of questions” & then she’d just giggle!!!! SO MUCH FUN!

I “borrowed” the photo above so you can see some of the different class projects finished! DARLING!!!! Great class Beth!!!!

Next up another first time teacher… My buddy Karen Valentine taught a composition journal book. Mine (above) was finished during class! That’s a great thing!!Now I don’t have another unfinished project!

Here’s all the class projects surrounding Karen.

The best thing about an event like this is the time with your friends. Both old & new…. you know the old saying “One is silver & the other gold”. Of course there was my running buddy Cindy & my roomie Jan, Linda H, Kristi, but, also pictured above is 2 new friends Kerry & Betti. It is so great to hang out with people “who get you”.

Another cutie I finally got to meet after being BLOGGING BUDDIES since 2009 is Dawn Edmondson of he Feathered Nest. She was the one person that stepped out & helped me the most in the very beginning of my blog. And I know she’s helped so many of you too. I can tell you that she is as kind, sweet, wonderful & beautiful as you would imagine her to be! She doesn’t leave her sweet family often but, I’m so glad Lisa & Cindy talked her into joining us!

Well, that’s it for the first day. Hope you’ll click on all the names that are highlighted in blue to visit the other Cow Girls! And I hope you’ll come back to see the next 2 classes soon.

HUGS! Charlene

A Beach Kind of Day with Diana at Montana De Oro

Do waves crashing to shore thrill you like they do me?

The foam swirling over the rocks…

Diana took me to a favorite spot of heir's. It is Montana de Oro which means Mountain of Gold. No, not the metal kind of gold but, flowers… Diana said that in the spring the whole hillsides are a sea of golden blooms. Click HERE to see the information on this beautiful site near San Luis Obispo California. Of course it was February & the hills were still BROWN but, I can imagine them GOLD can’t you? These hills gently roll down…

To this sharp drop into the Pacific Ocean. We stood on this point & saw the waves rolling in. And if you look in the far background (photo above) those mountains are in the chain where Morrow Rock sits in Morrow Bay. This trip I was lucky enough for the fog to be gone & to see Morrow Rock 3 times. THAT’S A FIRST in all my trips here.

We walked the path (about 2 miles) until we came to the stairs leading down to the beach. See the guard rail at the top??? It was a steep set of stairs down.

We loved walking in the sand which was not typical sand but, TINY pebbles ground to smooth. We LOVED looking at all the interesting TEXTURE! As artists it is amazing to look at color & texture no matter what your medium of choice is. Diana says that this is one of her favorite beaches to pick up small rocks & shells often found on her “Twisted Sister Necklaces”. We found a lot of Root Beer Quartz on the beach that day. I need to make a necklace or book (see the previous post with her amazing book made in a class with Nina Bagley) with some of it to remember this day with my precious friend.

A lady on the beach offered to take a picture of us. We were wind blown but, happy so YES! I did want a picture to remember OUR DAY! We talked about so many things… life, family, friends, art…

The sun reflected on the water as we reflected on life.

The fog began to roll in & I began hearing the long sad sounds of the fog horn blowing in the winds… It kind of mimicked my feelings of sadness to have to leave to catch a plane back home to Texas the next morning. An eerie sad song of gloom. We loaded back in her SUV & headed back to her beautiful home. Her precious hubby had a surprise for us…. Dinner at their favorite restaurant in old down town San Luis. The place he takes her for special occasions (like BDays & Annv). I felt so special & so honored. Thank you for that Dennis.

Speaking of her home… It’s stunning! Her flair for design & decorating is so beautiful, special & imaginative. Above is her living room bay window with a vintage train case filled with a live blooming orchid & a Joanna Pierotti doll.

And her coffee table… Another vintage train case & an ivy topiary. Look at the pretty tray…

Every where you turn it’s beautiful & I want to leave you with her angel. The one given to her by her Mother on her wedding day. Precious!!!! A Guardian Angel guarding another angel, my friend Diana.

Thank you to Diana & Riki for an amazing class (if you didn’t see that post go back to the previous posts & see the wonder of these two artist!)!!!! And a group of days doing just what my heart wanted most. Spending time with the sisters of my Art Soul. Thank each of you from the bottom of my heart. Now, NEXT… Paper Cowgirls. Be sure to come back soon to see all the fun!

HUGS! Charlene

Back In The Studio With Diana Frey

As all of you know from previous posts I’m just back from California & the Charming Romance class taught by my amazing friends Diana Frey & Riki Schumacher. I did the posts about class (if you miss it scroll back & look at the beauty of the goods) & the time with my friend Cynthia (at Pismo Beach/Butterfly Grove) & my visit with Riki. NOW IT’S TME TO SHARE MY DIANA TIME!

Her studio is in her garage (which is wonderful because it has LOTS of light which wasn’t the case with these photos because it was night time) & it is stunning! Go HERE to see a previous trip that shows more wonders in her studio & home but, I don’t want to repeat things in this post…

She is THE QUEEN BEE for sure!!!! She is the most amazing artist, teacher & friend! I was blessed to meet Diana back when I first started in this crazy Art Jewelry World… Back in April 2009! WOW what a journey it’s been. I was new to blogging & found her blog. That was it!!!! I was HOOKED!!!! I always tell people that taking a class with Diana is like Crack Cocaine…. you’re hooked! My sweet friend Joy found out that’s true this past trip… One class & now she’s coming back with Sandy & I in July as well as bringing her friend Laurie with her.

Diana’s studio is full of treasures that she has made. Or bought from other artists. She has such a magical way with displaying all of it. That very first photo above is just a jewelry holder full of bracelets… each a work of art but, in mass…. STUNNING!

Who else but, Diana could take a vintage brass baby shoe (maybe an old ashtray, or just display with the brass shoes????) & fill it with Frozen Charlotte heads, a rock with a stamped banner, nest & old photo to create such an interesting display? WOULD YOU HAVE THOUGHT OF THIS?

A precious little shelf of MORE GOODIES!

My all time favorite thing… her book made in a Nina Bagley Class… sharing her favorite spot Point No Point (I think that’s what she said it’s called & Diana correct me if I’m wrong on the name). The book has an amazing Soldered cover with a piece of driftwood found on the beach.

A self portrait… beautiful just like she really is.

See the sea glass at the bottom on one page? And the bird… how precious is that?

A watch with no face because she says that there is no time in this magical place…. that’s kind of how I feel when I’m with her!

On the back page is a pocket that holds THIS necklace. The one with the egg, compass, & the book that comes out of that little tiny piece. The book that has a photo of all the loved ones she’s shared this spot with…. Ahhhhhhhhhhh!

And would the back of the book be plain???? Not in Diana’s World. HAND STAMPED no less. Are you impressed yet?

A DREAMER???? You bet she is!

The QUEEN? YEP!!!!!!

A sense of humor? YEAH!

How blessed am I????????????????? To have these TWO AMAZING FRIENDS???? Priceless…. And I can’t stop pinching myself as I relive the amazing time (PRECIOUS MOMENTS) with all My California Art Sisters. Thank you Diana for opening this door to me back in 2009! You truly are my friend & my Mentor!

Hugs! Charlene

One more thing…

Click on the button to get a chance at Diana’s Give Away!

MADDIE

I know many of you think we Fur Mommy’s are a bit fetched when it comes to our 4 legged kids but, they do live “A DOG’S LIFE” don’t you think???? On my recent stay with Riki (see 2 previous posts below) I got to spend more time with Maddie which was a blast!

Maddie is the reason we have out little Havanese Elle. Riki & her hubby had lost their heart dog & found Maddie to fill the void. My hubby wasn’t having any other answer than replacing ours Christmas of 2010… So, I finally met the “character” in all her glory. OH THE STORIES I COULD TELL but, she & I are sworn to secret… So, enjoy her in her motorcycle helmet (in the first photo). Her Mommy had the helmet for Chester but, he’s gone now & she will inherit it (I’m not sure she’ll wear it with pride) when her Momma’s NEW Vespa arrives. Yes, Riki has a new toy & the irony of it all… it was sitting in a warehouse here in Texas while I was out at Pismo Beach with her.

HUGS! Charlene

A Visit With Riki Schumacher

This is Riki my teacher…. (If you missed the post about that go click HERE to see more about our amazing class).

And this is my friend Riki with her sweet little Maddie. I was blessed to spend a few days after my amazing Charming Romance Class with Riki, her precious hubby & Maddie (whose nickname is now Cup Cake just like my Elle’s but, that is another story entirely). In the photo above we were out for our walk on Avila Beach. It was so much fun.

The charming little town of Avila Beach rebuilt after a terrible oil spill ruined what it used to be. Now the pier, the new homes/condo’s & the charming shops & restaurants.

But, always present… The Beautiful OCEAN! But, let’s head back to Riki’s.

This Bird of Paradise flower greeted me at her front door. The flowers & trees were all in bloom. Let’s go inside & see where the magic is made!

BONJOUR!!! Hello/Welcome!!!! That’s right! Into her studio where she makes amazing jewelry & other designs. Where she is surrounded by her toys & treasures(those doll heads crack me up & there’s BEVO the Texas Long Horn that Diane Cook gave her when she came to Round Top with us last year).

I love the color of the robin egg blue walls. The accent of the sweet vintage yellow shelf. She has a passion for those pretty cut crystal bottles & cruet sets just like I do. We both bought a few in Round Top.

And look at all those tools on her worktable!!!!!!!!! How many hammers are stored in a silver coffee pot at your house? Well she has a bunch in hers. And darn it the ones (silver pitchers not hammers) I bought last year are still out at Sandy’s in a suitcase that needs shipping…

A bird cage covered in necklaces waiting for an upcoming sale.

A pretty chandi & balloon valance.

Treasures laid out on a storage table.

Treasures found. Speaking of treasures…. Would you like to make some?

Like this little frame? Or these below? Well click HERE for information about Riki teaching these beauties in an ONLINE CLASS through Artful Gathering.

Beautiful goodies to tempt your pocketbook at every glance.

LOVE this gals style but, let me tell you that you can’t find a cuter, funnier, spunky little sprite to help you find your way in the world of jewelry design than Riki Schumacher. And click HERE to see more details in taking this class March 3rd at Gilding the Lilly in Fullerton (near LA). I know Sandy & another girl from our Charming Romance Class plan to be there.

Hope you enjoyed the tour of Riki’s studio. And I hope you’ll find a good place to take one of her amazing classes. Now that so many teachers are offering online classes there are so many opportunities to learn without ever leaving the comfort of your own home. Be BRAVE! DO IT!!!! You won’t be sorry!

HUGS! Charlene