Hello Old Friend

I've been a busy little girl of late, though I did take time to go see this fabulous movie, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.  We thoroughly enjoyed it and I hope you'll fit it into your schedule.

I've been doing a bit of cleaning and organizing in the studio again, tossing tons of (how shall I say this...) crap.  And of course I'm finding things that I'll never need and never use, yet I can't bring myself to toss them just yet.  I've also found so much stuff that would be useful to someone, so I continue to take piles of it to my daughter-in-law for her to keep or give to the school her girls attend.  No doubt she wishes I'd done this during the actual school season, but I'm on my own timeline...no one else's.

I've also been reading non-stop, which is never a bad thing.  With the passing of Dick Francis and Robert B Parker, my two favorite authors, I was lost and wandering aimlessly up and down the library aisles.  But I found two new authors I enjoy immensely...right up until I finished reading everything they'd written.  The good news...they both have new books due out this year. 

If you like mysteries, may I recommend Louise Penny and Lee Child.  They're not the same as my favorites, and totally different from each other, but both are equally good in their own rights.

And if you have a suggestion for a string of mysteries, I'm anxious to hear.

The STARS are coming next Thursday night, so I've got a week to clean up the studio, clear all my junk off the tables, and create my twinchies to swap.

In case you don't know, these are 2" square works of art.  We're to use purple, orange and lime green as our color theme, so I have no idea what direction that will take me, but my first instinct is Halloween, and I'm determined not to go there in June.  This little tidbit isn't one of mine; I found it when I googled twinchies on the internet.

And so is this one.  I believe both came from ArtChix, since I recognize her images from some of the collage sheets I've bought from Helga over the years.  Aren't they fabulous?  Make a background, and then build your layers, adding embellishments.  Calls my name ... loudly!

I've also taught a class or two since the last time I posted, so later today I'll add a few photos for you.

I set off for Stampfest Orlando at the end of the month, teaching 3 classes, leading a project at the Friday night make & take party, and doing make & takes in the Just For Fun booth on Saturday & Sunday.  And of course I need to post photos to entice you, don't I?

Time for lunch.  I hear rumblings from the fridge...baked ham and roasted new potatoes...leftovers...calling out to the rumblings my tummy is making.

Give me time to savor and enjoy that for a bit and I'll be back...