I bet you wonder where I have been, I am still here, I have just been unable to get off the hamster wheel for the last few weeks.

Here is a run down from the start of 2014

I had the day off on New Years Day, it was nice to have the day to myself.  I did a little cleaning and organizing in my craft room and even took a nap. My craft room would need a month of 12 hour days to get organized properly as it has been a dumping ground for the last 4 years.  One of my goals for this year is to get it back into a creative space.

January 2nd I was back at work, I taught five classes at the store and then I flew to California for a Trade Show and it has been non stop ever since.

The trade show which was held in Southern California was fantastic.  I love going to the trade shows not only to see what is new but to catch up with fellow store owners and my favorite manufacturers.  Over the years some of the industry people have become great friends and I love seeing them.  This year was extra special. . . I had some of artwork featured in my all time favorite manufacturers booth.  It was such an honor.  Ranger is an awesome company.  I can never say enough good things about them and the people that are associated with them.  Can you say “girl crush”

Here are two of my pieces in their booth.

Ranger Booth

My two pieces are the Paintbrush Card on the left hand side and the Eiffel Tower Tag on the bottom.  There were no words to describe my feelings as I walked by the booth and recognized my art.

Here are some more detailed images of the card

Paint Brush Card

I used Adirondack Paint and Archival Ink on the card.  The background was made with my Gelli Arts plate.  I also painted the brush handle on the gelli plate.  The brush incidentally came from my paint brush pot.  I often leave my paint brushes in dirty water for extended periods of time.  Not usually a good thing but in this case I though my brush was very “Arty”

The Brush!

I used some Tim Holtz Rubbings on the handle. I was going to paint the ferrule (the metal part of the brush) but I really loved the rust that was showing and did not want to interfere with it.

Close Up of Rust

Another view

This is the Tag that I made.  . . . again I used Adirondack Paints and Archival Ink\.

Eiffel Tower Dream Tag

another view

Bottom View

Since I returned from CHA I have been busy designing and teaching classes and getting ready for the cruise.  We leave in two weeks to travel to Belize and Cozumel for a few days.  I am teaching four classes on the ship, here is a little peek.

Sneak Peek

Just in case anyone going on the cruise reads this blog I do not want to spoil the surprise so I will schedule a post for when we have left Fort Lauderdale that will show the completed projects.

Two weeks after we get back from the cruise I fly to Connecticut to teach an Art Journaling class at the Papercraft Clubhouse in Westbrook,

Art Journal – The Power of 7

after that I go to an industry training event in Massachusetts.

I will be back April 1st and then DJ Pettitt comes to the store to teach on April 3rd.  Talk about a whirlwind.

As all of my classes are designed through the end of this month so now I have some time to breathe and will be able to update this blog.