Im back!! Wow.. what a wonderful week it was last week! Seriously.. loved being with my best girlfriends.. in one place.. creating art, relaxing, eating, chatting. I think we spent most of our time just talking.. in our pj's. It was SO relaxing! I was so relaxed, I decided to stay two extra days and work! I have a HUGE deadline for my licencing agent.. for Surtex.. I have over 70 canvases I have been working on that will debut at Surtex in New York! wahoo! well.. I haven't quite FINISHED all 70.. so I thought since all my art supplies where with me.. and i only have 2 weeks left to finish them.. it would be a great opportunity to just stay and be alone and work like crazy to get as much done as I can! And I DID! It was great except for the nights.. when I was scared half to death at every noise in the house! lol.. I TRIED to talk my hubby into coming up and meeting me (we only live 2 hours away from where our retreat was).. but alas.. it didn't work! lol. But it was great. I just created and painted and created and painted! It was exactly what I needed. The only problem was that I didn't have a computer with me.. so I couldn't answer emails, or do updates on my blog.. or store things.. but I promise it was worth it. Sorry if you were one of the many who were waiting for me to get back to you thursday and I didn't until today! But home now.. at least until Thursday.. when I jet off again for another fun adventure! More on below! onto our monday moodboard!
One trend I have been noticing a lot lately the comeback of birdcages in homedecor and fashion and I admit... I have jumped on the bandwagon. I love going thrift shopping with my Friend Margie.. because she alwasy seems to find the most awesome birdcages! Real ones that are made of wire or wood... rusted or painted..seriously cute for housing a candle or a collection of hankies.. or whatever your fancy is. So today's monday moodboard is in honor of Margie.. and her love of the birdcage.. and for getting me addicted to it too!
A good Bird Print (seriously I just bought 4 prints from this wonderful artist!)
CocoCozy Blog/Birdcage (this girl is amazing! she had this bird house painted for her outdoor space!)
Burlap Birdnest Banner (it breaks out into this adorable spring banner!)
Mazimliians Pet Shop Birdcage Purse (this really hold a bird for traveling!)
Birdnest necklace, wire and pearls
Vintage Birdcage necklace with bird and pearls
So fun huh? I have a few birdcages in my house.. and a necklace I purchased from etsy. I also love painting birdcages! I will show you one I have done recently.. soon!
So I mentioned I will be leaving again thursday and yes.. it is for another "art" event! Many of you are familiar with Ranger Products like their sprays, inks, stains, my favorite "heat gun" and more! Well each year they hold Workshop event called "Ranger U" . It's for store owners, artists.. teachers. etc.. that to come learn for 3 full days on how to use all of the product Ranger creates. Tim Hotlz (my dear friend and out of this world artist!).. manages the event.. and each session they only accept 26 applicants! You have to actually apply to get in. I applied back in February and anxiously waited to hear the news.. and few weeks ago I got in email from Ranger that I was accepted!! Wahoo! I am SUPER excited to learn more about how to use all the products ranger produces..and become a "ranger certified instructor/artist". Which I can then teach YOU lovely artists as well! So I am flying to New Jersey Thursday morning.. for 3 full days of workshops. I am excited to meet the 25 other ladies and gents who also were accepted and ALSO super excited to spend time with my friend Tim. He is seriously one freaking amazing artist.. I am in awe at what he does and he is such a wonderful person to boot. If you are ever lacking inspiration.. check out his blog.. I am sure you already do.. who doesn't? really? lol
so I am excited for that opportunity! Now I just have to play catch-up SUPER hard for the next 3 days.. so I can leave again and not worry about all the stuff I have piling up at home! I want to do a post this week on the amazing week I had last week with my friends. I took pictures and did lost of fun videos.. so I can't wait to share :)
oh and before I forget.. don't forget to check out the Scarlet Lime Blog! Melanie did this AWESOME vidoe on how to make a mini album using one of our kits! gonna love it!
Happy Monday!
so excited you get to go to Ranger U! It's on my bucket list! Have a great time!
Posted by: JaYne | April 25, 2011 at 04:22 PM
Do you sleep?? lol You are going to have such a fun time with Tim. Travel safe and can't wait to see all you learn.
Posted by: Jeanne | April 25, 2011 at 04:26 PM
awesome bird cages. love them. glad you had a fantastic time, and you were able to make it a working holiday. can't wait to see your new line with Surtex. have fun with t!m and the rest of the gang. love him too. enjoy your week. loving the class.
Posted by: laura huffman | April 25, 2011 at 04:33 PM
How exciting that you get to be with Tim at Ranger U!! Wow!! You are very blessed! Can't wait to learn more from you... :)
Posted by: Vivian C | April 25, 2011 at 04:34 PM
Ranger U is totally on my list of things to do! :) Have so much fun out there!!! I'm loving the bird cage trend myself. So many fun ways to use them!
Posted by: BrieP | April 25, 2011 at 04:40 PM
glad you had a little girl time!!! sounds like fun!!! have a great trip & am totally jealous!!! can we trade places just for one day!!! :))) XoXxo amy
Posted by: amy~ the gypsy chick | April 25, 2011 at 04:55 PM
Love your new photo in the corner. Super congratulations to you for Ranger U and the M.M. is awesome.
Posted by: Dianne | April 25, 2011 at 05:57 PM
I'm so excited for you. My friend, Linda Ledbetter, will be there. We get together every once in awhile for a stamping party with another lady. We'll be getting together at her house right after Ranger U. She lives here in Boise and also runs the Grungy Monday challenge in honor of Tim.
Another blog I stalk will be there, Helz. She aslo runs a challenge. I can't believe I know three ladies from the 26. Amazing!!!
Posted by: Christine N | April 25, 2011 at 06:29 PM
Make sure you take an empty suitcase for all the goodies they will give you. And say hello to Hels Sheridan who is flying over from the UK. (Same person Christine is talking about!)
Posted by: Bernice | April 26, 2011 at 01:13 AM
Lucky you for going to Ranger U !! Just to be able to hang out with Tim Holtz for three days would be awesome .. lucky duck !! Can't wait to hear about your time in Jersey .. safe travels !!
Posted by: Cim Allen | April 26, 2011 at 06:55 AM
Ooo! You are having an exciting year -- so happy for you my friend. Please bring back some good Tim Holtz tips -- love him and his grungy goodness!
Posted by: Ann Marie | April 26, 2011 at 06:56 AM
I did follow Tim for a while and I like the grunge look, but I love what you do. I consider you a femine Tim Holtz. Your grunge is girly!
Love It
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Posted by: mardi james | April 26, 2011 at 07:04 AM
Ranger U sounds like it will be a blast. Have a great time, which I know you will. Tim is pretty awesome and so are you.
Kate
Posted by: Kate Robertson | April 26, 2011 at 07:23 AM
Congrats on being accepted to Ranger U! You deserve it girl! :)
Posted by: Erin Ummel | April 26, 2011 at 08:33 AM
well I'm exhausted just reading your post...LOL...I can't imagine how you feel. So glad you had a relaxing and productive week and can not wait to see what you create with Mr. Tim at Ranger U (lucky girl). Have a fabulous time. TFS
Posted by: Carol | April 26, 2011 at 08:53 AM
Deze website is echt een walk-through voor alle info die je wilde over deze en wist niet wie hij moet vragen. Glimpse hier, en je zal zeker ontdekken.
Posted by: Name | April 26, 2011 at 07:26 PM
Bedankt voor het samen te vatten zo goed. Ik denk dat ik hier terugkeer vaak. Met vriendelijke groet.
Posted by: Name | April 26, 2011 at 08:46 PM
Ah! eindelijk heb ik gevonden wat ik zocht. Soms duurt het zoveel moeite om zelfs kleine nuttig stukje informatie te vinden.
Posted by: Name | April 26, 2011 at 09:51 PM
Dank u wel, nice job! Dit was de dingen die ik moest hebben.
Posted by: Name | April 26, 2011 at 10:58 PM
Christy, if you love birdcages, you need to go visit my friend Cindy's blog at http://romantichome.blogspot.com Oh. my. gosh. You will fall in love. Cindy and I have been friends since high school, and she is the most amazing woman... Not crafty stuff, always, but wow, her style is incredible!!!
Posted by: September | April 27, 2011 at 11:39 AM
Have fun at Ranger U!! My good friend Jenn L. will be there!! Can't wait to see what all you guys do!!
Posted by: Heather Millar | April 28, 2011 at 08:40 AM