ART RETREAT 4

I made some scarves (with a slightly modified pattern).  Again, I chose a color that reminded me of each of them and my friends all agreed that the scarf they received was truly "their color".

Last, but certainly not least, came the gift I was most excited about.

My son does wonderful woodworking so I asked him to make these beautiful trays for me to give as gifts.  The bonus was that he made one for me - free of charge!

Once again, the time passed too quickly, but we chose our dates for next year and will all look forward to our time together then.

RETREAT TIME 3

Here are a couple more treats for my friends.

I found the cute pattern for cup shaped coasters, and then had to make "saucers" also.  I assigned a color to each friend!  Now they have 8 coasters!

Then I couldn't find boxes to fit the coasters, so I made some myself from watercolor paper!  You can see one box with the coasters nestled inside (below).  Originally I tried to make origami boxes, but got my measurements off, so that was a complete disaster.

I then cut simple boxes and taped them together.  Well, you can't have plain white boxes, now, can you??  So then I decoupaged initials and something that made me think of each of them.  Maybe they will use those boxes to store the coasters and think of me this year!

Then, to keep with my original origami idea, I make some little origami cranes.

If you are able to make them without watching the YouTube video - you are a total genius in my book!

ART RETREAT 2

Of course presents were exchanged.

Since I have been heavily into crochet, most of mine were crocheted objects, but not all.

Here are baskets I made - different sizes and shapes - one for each of my friends.  Some began using the baskets right away - filling them with pastel pencils or pens - or their drink glass!  I told my friends to use them until they "dissolve"!  I'm still new at this and not sure I always finish off the way I'm supposed to.

Another gift was a neat journal I found last year just after that retreat.  I'm just proud of myself that I was able to keep track of them and not lose them over the course of the year!  The one below is one I kept for myself; the others all had different designs.  These are nice because they have a zipper where you can store your pens.

RETREAT TIME!

It's that time of year again - time for our annual art retreat!

Here is SOME of what I took - which does not include more bedding
my duffle  bag, two coolers and some food!

This year the retreat was only one hour away - hooray - but also meant I had to drive ALL THAT WAY by myself!  Haha!

2016 ART RETREAT - Final

There was a trip to Cheap Joe's in Boone, and a tour by his niece, Meghan . . .

In Joe Miller's office.

The call center.

Strolling down the aisles in the warehouse.

Part of the shipping department.

 . . . followed by lunch in a beautiful little mountain town!

A WONDERFUL time was had by all - we can't wait until next year to do it again!

To the Ladies of the CIAG/esp - YEAR 15 AND COUNTING!!!  Thank you for another wonderful week - the best friends anyone could have.  I love you all.

2016 ART RETREAT

This year our Annual Art Retreat took place in the mountains of North Carolina in a beautiful rented home.  Low temps, NO humidity and a constant breeze - we all decided we need to live here forever!

Very spacious for the six of us (4 beds, 3-1/2 baths with a wrap around deck.  One of the best parts was that the kitchen was just off the living room and open concept, so when it was our day to cook, even though we were in the kitchen, we still were also in the conversation!

There were great views of the mountains:

There were bubbles - So now you know what 60-ish women do on an art retreat!!!

There were cows:

And even a goat!

There was a 5-course meal prepared by a professional chef!  The daughter of one of the women is a chef in Charlotte.  She stopped by on her way to Indiana on vacation and surprised her mom by cooking dinner!

HOW I SPENT MY SUMMER VACATION

Where I spent my summer vacation!

I'm back - and it's about time!

Finally have caught up after a fun and work filled art retreat at the beginning of June.

Once again the 6 of us traveled to Tennessee somewhere on Lake Norris (it's even a mystery to me - somehow we find our way there and back!)

We spent a week painting, eating, drinking, talking, laughing and crying - catching up on our year away from one another.  And, we produced some amazing artwork.  I think we bolster each other and create an amazing "good vibe" when we are together.  Seems each year the paintings created there get into shows and win awards.

If you don't already get together with some art friends - you NEED to.  It's not a luxury, it's a vital part of the painting experience.

It doesn't have to be a week - it could just be a day here and there that you spend painting and talking art, learning from one another, getting some good critiques on your work.

Anyway, enough lecturing!

Not too many photos to show, but a glimpse of our week (and I didn't get photos of all of the wine bottles and food - unlike SOME of us did!!!)  I tell people that "I don't drink" - but you probably couldn't prove that in Tennessee!!  Seems I imbibe enough that week that I'm good for the year!  (Seriously, a glass of wine at dinner and maybe a White Russian before bed . . . . )

So, here are a few photos for you to enjoy.  Soon I'll have up a post of one of the paintings I worked on that week.

Each year gifts are given.  One of my contributions this year was a kimono for everyone
so we can look gorgeously elegant during breakfast.  Here are the ladies posing in their new attire.
(In case any are in  Witness Protection only their backs are shown to protect the innocent!)

Artists hard at work creating masterpieces!

The last night, once the tables are broken down and supplies put away,
we have a "gallery wall" and critique.
By my count 26 paintings from 6 artists - in ONE WEEK!

Let me introduce Miss Prude to you - topknot and all!
(NOTE:  This is what you get when your friend grabs your camera without your knowledge)
So, beware - let this be a lesson to you -  never leave your camera unattended!