Whirlwind Weekend

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are returning to LifeUnity and wondering What's Up with this new stuff,

 check out this link for more info!!*

Whee!  What a weekend it was.

I started off by attending an amazing workshop (my first!) taught by Jen Starr.  (Sponsored by Papertrix.)  I officially had my first in-person meeting with a blog friend...Cheryl at Whosyergurl!  Totally exciting all the way around!  Here we are at the end of the class with our creations:

Isn't Cheryl lovely?! 

I just wish the colors and blending of our paintings were as evident as the smiles on our faces.

Visit my blog, CREATE ME, to learn more about
the class, what we created, and
what newbies can learn

from my class experience!

I was reminded over and over again on Friday the importance of letting go of expectations and living with what is.  We got a late start on Friday afternoon (it took me an hour to drive what should have been a 30-minute drive to get home after the workshop and I received what ended up being a 40-minute phone call with our son's principal just as we were walking out the door....*sigh* - motherhood.).  Needless to say, I was quite frazzled...we ended up postponing a planned trip to Chicago that evening.

Visit my blog, MOVE ME, to learn more about

how my running training and motherly instincts

may have saved me and my art after class on Friday!

After some deep breaths and a good night's sleep though, we left early Saturday morning for Chicago, and enjoyed a quick visit with relatives and friends.

Today we left bright and early and headed right back to Bloomington.  It was yet another comedic rush (ok, it's funny now.  I was NOT pretty while it was going on).  We had 15 minutes once we arrived home to get things out of the car and get my son to a friend's birthday party.  The card I wanted to make didn't work out and the second one I tried to make in the car on the way there?  A paint pen exploded and that card was a casualty.  (Ever have a day like that??)

Everything eventually worked out (doesn't it always...) and we ended our evening at a recital given by a friend and father of one of my son's classmates, Marlin Mckay.  This was his Master's recital - one for which he and his family have been going through quite a long period of preparation.  It was AMAZING.  Marlin plays the trumpet and gave a soul-moving jazz performance backed by equally talented band members.

Marlin feeling the soul of his music

There are not too many other ways I can think of in which I'd like to spend an evening...friends, good music, and beautiful weather.  (Our daughter was tired and crabby, but even that couldn't ruin the experience.)

A Few Last Notes:

1)  I have been SO fortunate to WIN two amazing gifts from Sleeping Dog Studios at their blog.  They have a giveaway EVERY SUNDAY!  Look at what I've won already:

A gorgeous photo frame!  The details are amazing, the colors so vibrant, and there's even a peg in the back you can put in one side or turn the frame the other way and insert the peg for a standing frame with a totally different look!  (Kiddos picture not included.  Sorry.)

And THIS lovely earring holder I just won - beautiful and practical!!  (Earrings are mine...I'm already putting this lovely piece of art to good use.) (I'd recommend checking out their site for a better photo of this...the colors really POP.)

And I'm feeling a bit greedy over there so I'm not entering the giveaways for a bit.  Which means you have an even greater chance to win!!  Rush on over (there is a giveaway for another frame going on NOW!)...and while you are at it, check out the rest of the site.  (Even if you don't win, they have these for sale!)  These are genuinely kind and talented people.

2)  In case you are one of my readers who hasn't heard of Wishstudio, Mindy Tsonas (the host) just revealed the new Wishstudio site.  It's totally cool.  Someday I'm gettin' me one of those fancy intros. :)  Seriously, there is SO much offered there beyond the eye candy...contributors galore, classes, techniques, inspiration, ....just go check it out!!

3)  Because of the tornado that blew through my life this weekend, the Strength To Be Me site (along with guest stories & links) got a bit tousseled.   But don't you worry...tomorrow starts the cleanup and I'll be adding more soon! ( THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE LOVELY PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALREADY VISITED AND LEFT KIND COMMENTS ABOUT THE SITE! )

Enjoy the start of a new week!!