I have had a crazy few days filled with lots of emotion. I guess the fact is that at some point,

you truly need to face the music and deal with the hurt and pain. Keeping it all closed up

can only last so long. The time has come for me to get some resolution so I can finally close

a certain chapter for good. Hopefully, healing will come and the hurt & anger will dissipate.

This quote is so true. I will not wither away!

I recently was offered a job teaching how to make and create an art journal at a local art school. I am excited for this new journey! Who knows where it will lead? I made two samples that could be shown because many people don't know what this is. Yesterday I got a call from the school's owner telling me that those who have seen the samples love them and are excited for the class! The owner said she loved my work and was blown away by the vibrant colors. I am in the process of putting it all together and outlining the scope and sequence of what I am going to teach . If enough people sign up, the class will start the first week of October. Woo hoo!!

cake pops

Do you know Bakerella? If not, check her out at bakerella.blogspot.com

My girlfriend bought me the book

CAKE POPS (by Angie Dudley) for my birthday. I decided to make cupcake pops for the BBQ we are going to today. Here is how they came out from start to finish! Delish, not too messy and only three fell apart.

Ready to try all the cute designs in the book and perfect my skills. Working in 3-D is challenging but fun! Best of all, you can eat the ones that don't work. :)

Have a safe Labor Day!

Pages from Teesha Moore workshop

As I posted last month, I had THE BEST time in OH with Teesha Moore. It has taken me a while to start posting some of the pages I created in the book I assembled. Life is starting to shift back to routines as school is starting next week. Crazy!

I had surgery on my tooth and the prognosis is good! I try not to think about what the surgeon did, because when I do think about it, I get freaked out. No one can tell when they look at me, but I am VERY self conscious when I smile. My smile is a little altered too! My kids love to look at it and exclaim, "GROSS!!!" or "EEEWWWW!" :)

Anyway, I am looking forward to getting some time to create. It has been VERY sparse this summer. Not only does my daughter love to use my supplies, but now ALL of her friends love it too. The time is coming (I think) for me to act upon my desire to teach kids. I have an interview at a local place, but I am not an art teacher. I am a certified teacher who is an artist. Not sure if it will matter. Would it matter to you? I wouldn't care as long as creativity was embraced and the enthusiasm and fun existed. I'll let you know what happens!

Stella & Dot

So it is official. My job as a personal stylist for Stella & Dot is up and running! My launch was a great success and everyone is SO happy with their new jewels. This line is fabulous - - - trendy

and fun at a great price point. The best part is . . . . if you host a trunk show, you will earn hundreds of dollars in FREE jewelry!!!! The fall/winter line was recently launched and I have my samples in. Last week I was able to check out the entire new releases in person and they are SPECTACULAR! This line is highly coveted by celebrities and it has been featured in Lucky & InStyle magazines (to name a few). The line has been featured on Good Morning America and Oprah. The company also has a foundation that supports various women's organizations. Check out the line and let me know what you think. I would LOVE to put on a trunk show for you! It doesn't matter where you live. Once you see it, you will fall in love too!

Teesha Moore

Life has taken over and I can't believe it has been SO long since I've posted!! I just got home last night from a 3 day workshop in Ohio with Teesha Moore. I have to say it was fantastic! Besides spending three full days ALONE, I was able to truly immerse myself in my art for hour

after hour without any interruption! It was intense! I was focused! I was around like-minded people! I was inspired! I was motivated! I was alive! This is the second time I've done this and I hope to be able to do it at least once a year.

This is the front and back cover of the journal we created. Of course we used my favorite paper - Fabriano Artistico Hot-Press watercolor- and stitched it all together. I love the process of making the journal as much as art journaling.

Tomorrow I will show you some of the pages I made inside! Next on my list, Art Fest!

Just be you

I don't know where I found this quote by E. E. Cummings, but this is SO true! I am trying to instill this value in my kids every single day. It is tough, especially in a community where I question if they TRULY celebrate and embrace individuality, uniqueness and creativity. My jury is still out on this one. Only time will tell!

It's coming! It's right around the corner and I can't believe it! My little girl turns 6 on July 1 and it feels like only yesterday I was wondering if I was in labor. Where has all the time gone by? I was looking through pictures the other day, and I remember everything about every single shot. I miss those days, yet I am loving who she is and who she is becoming now. Every day, I am still in awe of watching (really being there) with my kids as they are growing up.

Gia and I made her invitations. This has been a tradition since the beginning! Now that she is getting older, she wants to make them. I still like to have some control over how they look, but I know it won't be long until she is designing and creating them all on her own. She'll probably even make them for other kids and start her own business!