Our trip to Seattle

The 2 day trip up was not as bad as I thought it would be. I got sewing done and loaded apps and learned alot about my phone...Here is my view.....
We stopped in Ashland. I got to the Morning Glory..of course...and Websters...Ella B is gone. Got to LE and Jon's about 10:30. I stayed up with LE til about 4:30. She was finishing a proposal. Next day Jill and Madison came on the plane. Maddie did really well. She was only upset when they took her shoes and backpack. She felt right at home at LE's. She loved all the big puddles to splash in.
Tues. we went to Teesha's annex and had a fantastic day with her and her art buddies. They had a gift exchange thing going on and Marty, one of Teesha's art friends, taught me how to make a mini woven purse. She gave me a kit with all the supplies. I have actually finished it. I will take a picture soon. Teesha made a delish lunch! ...with tomatillo salsa she learned to make in Mexico....it was a real treat. Madison was really good. She noticed there was a toy store across the street and she and Jill made a visit and she got a dolphin for the bath tub. Anyway...that was a really great day....as you can imagine. It is a magical spot!


So of course we went to Maxine's! Everywhere you look is a vision of loveliness....
On the way back we took the long way....The OR coast is really beautiful....We had clam chowder and clam strips across the street from the wild sea.
Farther down we found a spot we could walk on the beach. The stuff that washes up is so different from our beaches. I found an abalone shell, almost whole.
So back to normal tomorrow I guess...My calendar is already full for Jan. but it was so good to spend some time with LE, Jon, Jill and Maddie in Seattle.

Madison helped me do some decorating

This my new toad stool guy from Mary getting cozy with my hedgehogs from LE...
This is my new owl from Sukie, made from black walnuts from the O'hara's in Ohio.

That was fun. Madison is going to have such a great Xmas! Everything is magical to her.

Fun day at the Art Clinic

Maybe we will name it Winter Solstice Tamale Art day.....Tamales, beautiful and delicious cookies, luscious apple salad and candy...
What more could you want...We did a little art and lots of talking and sharing. Really a fun day.
Thanks so much for coming everyone. So nice to get to catch up.

I did not get out a nativity this year so I made one with the stuff that is laying around.....Enjoy the holiday everyone!

North Point's iBand

Nice weekend

Saturday I did a little shopping in Santa Maria. My list of places to go was too long but I got to most of it. Sunday Colleen and I ran away from home...actually she was working and I tagged along.....She was doing gingerbread delivery for the Solvang Bakery. We made the exchange in King City and took off on a lark to find the small town of Lockwood. We went west off 101 even though there was no sign to confirm we were going the right way....after quite a drive we started seeing a few ranches. passed one car and then there it was ....Lockwood! We went to a diner connected to a small market and had a really good burger and real fries. We made a stop at San Miguel Mission.
This one is one of my favorites. You feel like you know what it would have been like to have been there when the Spaniards were there. There was a band from Oaxaca setting up for an Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration...wish we could have heard them. Hit a couple stores in Paso Robles and got home right after dark. Great weekend.

Animals of YouTube sing "Deck the Halls"

Winter is here

The show on the Mesa in Santa Barbara got cold and we had some rain drops. But I met some great people and hung with my art buddies. I checked out the all night show at the Persidio Hotel. It was pretty festive and had good energy. Carol and I had decided not to do it this year but we may next year.

I finally finished something from my online class with the amazing Danita.....Very fun. I thought I would make about 20 of these Santas...but I am pretty sure we will be spending the holidays alone....I am so glad I took the class. I learned so much! The girl is Danita's design.

Tara Ross and I are doing a co-lab journal. Here are some of her recent entries...co cool!

Santa's elves are still workin'

Come check out the goin' ons on the Mesa in Santa Barbara, Saturday the 4th. Carol, Angela and I are there showing off our stuff.... 11 to 5, 1919 Cliff Drive. There will be lots of food and music besides shopping for unique gifts for Xmas.
eeeee ha!

Jill-o

Jill has got her Etsy site up and running...take a peak...here. I am so glad she got a chance to do some of her magical art!!!

Madison had a tough weekend. She was in the ER Fri. night and went to the doc again today. She has what they call Nurse's elbow....Her tendon let the bone slip out of it's groove. It is so tough to see someone so little in a sling....She is much better today....She was a real trooper....the rest of us were a mess....

We had an early Thanksgiving

...with family at the Rincon area in Ventura....It was a super low tide during the day....very rare...so that was really fun....


But the best part was getting to see and catch up with the family....I could have chatted for hours more. But we did get in some news, old stories retold and laughs. I always come away feeling happy and proud of our clan. I also know how much the family members that have pasted on would have loved us all being together. Miss you Lisa Mom Dad Steve.... But we all have alot to be thankful for...lots of new babies and all in good health.

Jill, Madison and I had another Thanksgiving today at Madison's daycare....They put on a little sing song (Madison refused to sing for some reason)...lots of video of her saying nooo, shhhh .... and then we ate....It was really cold...55 or so...but really nice to get together with everyone.

Tomorrow we are having one more turkey dinner at Jill and Joe's....

I am taking a really great online class

I also just finished one with Danita on free motion sewing...but that was really only a small part. These are both such talented ladies! I have learned and I am learning so many cool things...I just lack time to play!

Saturday, December 4 · 11:00am - 5:00pm 1919 Cliff Drive-Santa Barbara

ART on the MESA Holiday Marketplace

ANNUAL LOCAL ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR- with Live Music- OVER 35 VENDORS!!.. A great place to find UNIQUE GIFTS,BEAUTIFUL HANDMADE ITEMS...and much much more!!! Featuring:PAT'S PALETTE-Patricia Watkins, HELEN HEISING-metalsmith,SPIRAL SEA ARTS- ceramics by Molly,CIMMI CUMES- DOLLS,SOLAR B- SOLAR CARVINGS, unique handcrafted :JEWLS by JULIE FISCALINI,CHINESE BRUSH PAINTINGS and unique jewelry by SueMae Willhite, handmade kids items and bags by SPICY TEA ,LIME GREEN MONKEY, CEH CREATIONS,beading by Chris Hartsock,EXOTICA WEST(ceramic art with succulents),HILLARY DULIEN DESIGNS & vintage clothing,FEATHER HAIR EXTENSIONS by STATEMENTS-Lisa Lipman,SHEEP FLOOZY, Crocheted baby items,ART GLASS,GARDEN of GAIA- Danae Michele ,STP- SCREEN PRINTING- Paul Souza,HELEN HEISING DESIGNS,SYLVIE'S PRECIOUS FUSION,HENNA by SARA WILCOX,MESA CLAYWORKS,SPIRITWOOD ,by AIMEE MONROY,AURORA BODY PAINTING,ERIN LEE PLASTER DESIGNS,WROUGHT IRON CREATIONS by ANTHONY VINCENTI, ANGELA LANG- FIBER ARTS,KAREN HAZARIAN DESIGNS,CINDY LYNNE POWERS...and many many more!! LIVE MUSIC by:SPENCER(at 11 am),DOVER(of Damaged Goods)..acoustic..plugged-and SLUGGO THeONE(of Tao Jonz and Delta Martinis)

Queen of Arts was a success!

So many great artists and lots of catching up with friends made this a great event. The weather gods smiled on us and it was beautiful both days. I have pics of all the artists on my Flickr...art nest ....except a couple...the photos weren't good at all...sorry Teri and Sue.
So here is my favorite Queen...Madison.

Jill and I shared a spot. I am not sure how she managed to get any art done but she did! Beautiful journals and her amazing jewelry. She will have some of it on her Etsy site soon.

What are these 2 up to....

This is the cutest jack-o-lantern ever!

Madison is starting to do faces just in time for Halloween!

This is some of my new stuff for Queen of Arts....


This one is called Virgin Pin....

These are bags from fused plastic bags.

Here is the info on the show. Please come if you can!