To a couple of very special moms, my mom and Vern's mom, Happy Mother's Day and a huge thanks for the investment of time, the instilling of values and the sacrifices you made for us. Love you both!
If you're a mother, wishing you a happy day! Hope you have a chance to spend time with your brood.
Gotta run. I'm smelling griddlecakes...compliments of Ashley. Yummmmm!
Shortly after I started doing events out of my home, attendees began asking me if I would ever consider doing regular workshop classes at home. They wanted a shorter class, something a little less expensive than the event workshops and a project that could be created in less time than the Heirloom projects. Well, I've been listening and those that have been asking are getting what they requested!
On Saturday, May 19th, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., I'll be hosting and teaching a workshop in my home. I chose The Betwinchie Canvas as the project for a number of reasons. First, it's a home decor project that marries well with memory art and fits in with a host of interior decorating styles and colors. It's a great project to showcase lots of great coordinated papers, fabrics and embellishments, as well as small photos, quotes, verses and personal memorabilia. Second, it's a really doable project and most of it can be done in that time period. Third, there have been repeated requests for me to rerun the class (although I did create a new sample with some new embellies :)).
This is a new format...in my home, a little longer than the standard classes I've taught over the years, and snacks, drinks and lunch included in the price of the workshop. There are just a few openings left...so you will want to reserve your seat before it's sold out.
The people who have signed up are soooo excited about this workshop. Here's what one person (who is coming from California) said:
"Great class, great teacher, lovely home, great friends, lots of fun- who could ask for anything more?"
Awwwww! How sweet is that?
I'll leave you with a little detail shot from my sample canvas.
To reserve your space, simply click on the "Buy Now" button below. For more detailed info, check out my creatologie blog here. Looking forward to seeing you on May 19th!
...is an amazing blessing!
I'm still riding on a bit of a high after spending a day with my creative friends. They inspire me to create...to think outside the box...to be better. They are talented and have tons of ideas. Many of them have retail stores and other creative businesses. Some of them have a dream to start a business...and some have just realized that dream.
I have known my friend Gloria for a long time. I first met her when I was teaching at Memory Lane and then got reacquainted when our daughters were in the same discipleship group at church. Since then, Gloria and I see each other often in classes and at the Heirloom Event/Workshops.
Gloria is a pretty quiet creator. She really gets into making her project...and her work is impeccably done. About a year ago, she showed me pictures of a tea party that she had put together and styled. It was an amazing tablescape...I realized then just how uber talented Gloria was. She told me that she loves doing flowers...and that she would like to do more arranging for weddings, etc.
Gloria has realized the dream of starting her own business. After taking classes at ASU, she is now an Arizona Master Florist. Her business is called "Glorious Floral Designs"...isn't that a fun name?????
Well, her work is truly glorious!
Check out the arrangement she made for me and brought to the Event/Workshop.
Such a cool mix of flowers...and totally my style!
I love her work!
In the spirit of helping each other as creative women, if you are in the Phoenix area and need a great florist, I would highly recommend Gloria.
Just email me if you'd like to contact her and I'll pass along her contact info.
She told me when she gave me the arrangement that she wanted to bless me with her gift. Thank you, Gloria! I was definitely blessed!
Friday night, I actually was ready for bed by about 10 p.m.
That's unheard of for me on the night before an event/workshop.
I fell asleep right away, only to wake up about 30 minutes later in a total panic. "Something's wrong", my brain was saying. "I must have forgotten something...no way should I be done this early."
With self-doubt ruling the brain waves, it took a little longer to fall asleep.
The next day, I figured out what I forgot to do. I forgot to ask God to turn down the thermostat in the afternoon :).
So we did, indeed, all have our day in the sun!
On Saturday morning, the chicks were eager to begin. I barely had my lipstick on when they started arriving. Then, the buying frenzy began. Within a very short period of time, my creatologie flea was gone...and brown kraft shopping bags lined the great room. There's something about all that sunshine that gets the shopping juices going!
Here's what greeted the ladies out in the backyard.
Large zinc bottle carriers were the special holders that held the kits for this project. Kit parts were in bags, boxes and bottles, with lots of stamped kraft paper in the mix. It definitely looked like the scene of a rustic Tuscan farmhouse.
Ashley outdid herself with the food...again, most of it based on ideas and recipes directly from Tuscany.
Breakfast was two different egg casseroles, a bagel, sausage and cheese strata and an eggs florentine served on a bed of potatoes. I still can't decide which I liked best. Add to that fresh fruit salad, glazed citrus yogurt breakfast cake and homemade lemon poppyseed scones and all I can say is, WOW!
After breakfast, we got ourselves totally immersed in the project.
There was definitely a buzz in the air as the covers and interiors of the books started getting built. This is a really creative group of women...and their willingness to play with materials and step out of the box is so inspirational to me. It had been since last September that I gathered with creative friends and I have to tell you, I really missed being with them!
Ashley's fabulous lunch menu had us smacking our lips, quite literally.
She served us a Tuscan roasted pork loin, a fabulous veggie lasagna with a homemade basil/spinach pesto sauch, homemade creamy polenta, a roasted red pepper and tomato gratin and a huge salad with homemade dressings.
Amazing food, soooo delicious.
While Ashley cleared the kitchen and started prepping for the dessert portion of the afternoon, we headed back to the gardens to create. By that time, we were having our day in the sun, for sure! But, I've got to tell you that NOBODY whined...not even a teensy little bit. If someone got hot, then would go inside and stamp, or sew their buttons on the inside sofa, or find a shady spot to mist and spray. Thanks, ladies, for being so good natured, even when the afternoon gust of wind blew a paper clay fragment into the pond! Yikes...it was like living with a very demonstrative Ma Nature that afternoon!
Here's the whole group:
And some little group shots that Vern happened to snap...by the way, Vern took all the pix...a huge thanks to him!
(with Jo and Dotti)
(with Sharon) (why in the world had I gathered up my skirt???)
(with Nancy, Twila and Cynthia)
(with Gina, and our travel journals)
Here's a good one of Ashley setting up the desserts:
All of the desserts (Tuscan sugar cookies, chocolate semi-freddo, homemade mini tarts filled with panna cotta or blood orange curd (blood oranges from our tree), fresh berries, and homemade biscotti):
The chocolate semi-freddo was a first for me. Ash made it from scratch and it's kind of a blend between gelato and mousse, frozen and sliced. Wow, was it awesome with the fresh berries.
Everyone got to take home extra desserts, if they wanted...which they did!
It was seriously a fabulous day under the sun...thank you to everyone who came...love you, ladies!
*****
And now, drumroll, please.....
I have just a few extra kits of the Old World Travel Journal Heirloom project that we created. I will have some of the techniques done for you in that project, like aging the copper, but please know that the instructions are basically written for someone who would have attended. If you're comfortable with having basic instructions and large pictures, this Heirloom collection kit is for you! And, as always, I'm just an email away.
Here's what my cover looks like:
And, here's the open book:
There are literally just a few extra kits and they are available for $187, plus $22 shipping. If you'd like one, simply click on the Buy Now button below and I'll ship it out next week.
Thanks!
ALL GONE...THANK YOU!
...things are heating up around here in anticipation of the March 31st "Under the Tuscan Sun" Heirloom Event/Workshop which will be held in my backyard. For the past several days, it has quite literally been heating up to the 80's. Yikes...don't want that or we'll end up being in the 90's by the end of the month.
But, this morning proved to be cold and cloudy...with the sun playing hide and seek behind the clouds quite a bit. Here's a little taste of what I could see from my patio.
.
But, in true Phoenix fashion, the clouds got blown away and it's now bright and sunny
I'm keeping my fingers crossed, saying prayers, etc. that we'll get a day of the infamous Phoenix sunshine at the end of the month (especially for those of you coming from winter states)!
Do you all remember the Italian villa that Frances ends up buying? Bramasole? If you're thinking that I'm going to say that my house looks just like it...nope, not going to say that at all! Maybe a cottage on the property...maybe...although strangely enough, it does share some similar elements. Some cracks in the paint (but that's shabby chic), a very strange spout like thing in the wall next to my front walkway (that's the honest truth...we have no clue what it's for or even where it goes :)), and although we don't have pigeons in the house, a couple of weeks ago, we did have a hummingbird come in to visit with us.
There's no Polish crew tearing things up and working around here to get things ready...although I'm half Polish so maybe that qualifies. I've been having fun putting in some colorful posies, raking, sweeping and trimming the winter brambles. Cleaning benches. Getting some great sunshine!
It's paying off...we have flowers!
Lots more to do...can't wait to see my creative friends at the end of the month!
Hope you enjoyed a bit of Tuscan Phoenix sunshine and color. I'll be sure let you know if we ever figure out why we have a goofy spout sticking out from the wall next to the front walkway!
Until next time...Ciao!
I love the start of a new year.
It's a great time to begin again with a basically clean slate. The previous year has been reviewed...good times and successes are remembered and cherished, mistakes are cataloged to be learned from and bad times, well, they are best forgotten.
I've installed a fresh set of batteries and I'm charged up and ready to go.
It's already been a busy year. Yesterday, I released the first ever Heirloom Collection Workshop to Go and wow, was the response ever amazing!!!!!
I spent a good part of the day responding to orders...but trust me, I'm not complaining...AT ALL. I am thrilled!!!!! It was great to hear from so many familiar names. Thanks for the orders and for the emails...so glad that you are liking the idea of Heirloom Workshops to Go. If you haven't ordered your online workshop yet, just head over here for details. If you're anything like me, you get busy and forget. Since the ability to order will be up for just a limited time, you may want to order before it's gone.
It's going to be an exciting year. I'm planning some fun event/workshops and there are some other things in the works. Good thing the batteries are new and fresh!!!!
Thanks for being a part of my life. I wake up every morning grateful to be a part of a community where there are so many nice, caring and creative people.
So, here's to an energized, inspired and creative 2012 my friends! Wishing all of you the very best.
...buzzing around, creating art, and having a great time.
Ashley took this picture in our backyard today and I asked her if I could use it since it described what my days have been like for the past week.
She was happy to share.
I've had a lot of inspiration lately and since I believe in "use it or lose it", I've been using that inspiration to create some really cool canvas books with covers that are really detailed and unique.
If you head over to my creatologie blog, you can see the most recent additions...three canvas books, together with some coordinating products, all available for purchase right now.
I've called them Dazzling Denim, Grandmother's Clocks and Buttons and Maison de Provence, and they are all a little shabby and a little vintage. You know, the lineup is actually a somewhat patriotic...red, white (sort of) and blue! :)
Enjoy...take a look at the detailing and the accompanying products at www.carolwingert.typepad.com/creatologie/, and then get your favorite one!
See you later...buzzing off to do some more creative stuff!
For those of you who have been asking for a new "workshop to go", it's now up and ready at the creatologie site (www.carolwingert.typepad.com/creatologie/).
It's a funky folder travel journal (or a funky folder any kind of book, really), that's easy to make and easy to fill...a definitely favorite of mine.
What a great way to use your stashes, get inspired, and learn some new techniques or design ideas.
Don't miss out on this limited opportunity...it'll be available until just October 9th.
Head over to the site and get all of the juicy details.
Calorie free, gorgeous colors, refreshing!
The exclusive Neapolitan Ice Cream Product Kit, brand new from the creatologie studio.
Check it out here.
(If the link won't work, just click on the creatologie link on the right sidebar.)
The best bedtime snack ever :)!
...there are two new and different collections available right now!
and
Head over to my creatologie blog and make one (or both :)) part of your collection!
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