It's been a great May.....

Lots of family activities going on...mostly involving Madison.   I am finding it harder than I thought it would to get the Art Nest Studio pulled together.  Worse part I can't get to my art supplies.  But I have got a few things started for the Art Hus and for the July 4th show in Santa Barbara.

We really had a good time at Disneyland.  Really the easiest and nicest visit yet.

We got a sneak peek at the open house at Ballard school.  Thank you Mrs. Carlson.  You are the best...the best on so many levels.

Madison had her dance performance too.   The Hawaiian Roller Coaster was their number...so cute

I signed up for a Diane Culhane online class and plan to take Mary Ann Moss's sketching online class...that along with beach trips with Madison, will fill up my summer.

We are doing it again...come join us!!

The Colors of Oaxaca

Journal Workshop Adventure

October 16th – 23rd 2014

Las Tres Amigas, mixed media artists Syd McCutcheon, Mary Stanley, and tour host Colleen Darling are heading back to the magical city of Oaxaca for another fun-filled workshop and cultural adventure.  The city of Oaxaca, a Unesco World Heritage site, has so much to offer with its warm friendly people, delicious food, world-renowned artists, colonial architecture, and pre-Colombian ruins.

The workshop will focus on creating a loose-leaf journal reflecting our time in beautiful Oaxaca.  We will be collaging, altering photos, sketching, making stamps and learning new techniques to add to our journal creations.  We will be visiting the Centro de Las Artes de San Agustin, a restored textile mill which is now home to a hand-made paper studio.  In addition, we will visit Studio Xaquixe, a workshop that recycles glass from the local community, and transforms it into aesthetic and utilitarian works of art.   Our time in the colonial city center will include trips to the vibrant local markets, diverse museums, and endless opportunities for shopping and ice cream.    

For more information or to reserve your spot please contact Colleen Darling at colleen950@gmail.com    

There went April....

But it was a great month....

The Art Hus went smoothly...even though I am paddling like hell under the surface.   We have 25 great artists that work hard to bring their best work to the shop.

I got to go to French General and help Mary with her rug hooking class.  What a fun day.

My baby turned 40!  How did that happen?  Jill has grown into a beautiful woman inside and out...we had a ride on

the Landshark and went to the sea center to celebrate.

We had a small Easter but a wonderful one...mostly thanks to my sidekick, Madison....

Molly threw a beautiful wedding shower for her soon to be sister in law at her amazing home.  It was all so beautiful and delish!!

I got to celebrate Susan's birthday with the girls.  So fun to take time to look around Santa Barbara.  Had a wonderful lunch at the beautiful San Ysidro Ranch.  Perfect day...

Then I ended up the month at a beach house with Pam, Mary and Charlotte.  We had a blast!

On the way home Mary and I stopped at Superbuzzy Fabrics in Ventura...omg!!

 If you are in the area of Coffee Cats in Santa Barbara, stop in and see my paintings.....

...way too long since my last post...

I will start with a quote I read..."I have learned so much from my mistakes I think I will make some  more...."  No problem there.  The other quote I overheard at the next table at a group of young adults..."...I told them  'I think I am a native American...I was born here'..."


 I am so lucky to get this amazing treasure from Jone Hallmark!!  I hesitate to share it here...you are all going to be so jealous!!  I love love love this special gift.  Thank you Jone.  I am looking forward to our reunion!!

OK back to me...Our Colors of Oaxaca workshop was amazing!!  Best group of women ever....lots of laughs, talent and love in that group.  We met up with friends we met last year at Casa Colonial and found some new ones.  Lots of art and artisans to visit and good food to eat..  Saw the sites in Teotitlan del Valle ...love that village....silk worm farm, natural dye weavers, sweet local market and wax flower candle makers are just a few of the sites we saw on our field trip. Indigo dyeing at the Textile Museum had a little hic up but it allowed us to do more shopping and see more museum shows in Oaxaca.  ...well I could go on and on about Oaxaca.  It just went too fast...so we are planning to come back in Oct. and of course in Feb. again.  Mary, Colleen and I are already scheming...so stay tuned...

Hasta la Vista.....