February workshops are up!

Papers & Books from Your Most Authentic Self with Albie Smith

The workshop descriptions for the retreat next February 17-21 are now online! It's another fabulous lineup of instructors: Stephanie Lee, Orly Avineri, Jesse Reno, Albie Smith and Nina Bagley. I can't imagine having to choose just one! Registration opens August 10 at 9am Pacific time. You can read all about it here. Hope you'll consider joining us!

Heart Strings with Nina Bagley

No Limits—A 3-day Painting Intensive with Jesse Reno

Plaster Potential—An Exploration of a Thirsty Surface with Stephanie Lee

Yours Naturally—A 3-day Nature Journaling Workshop with Orly Avineri

A Day at the Faire

Apparently we weren't the only ones who thought it was a good idea to spend the holiday at the Alameda Antiques Faire. Actually, the crowds were much lighter than usual, and a few of the vendors were missing. But look! Lots of goodies and strange folks there as usual.

Harvey was there with his fabulous warm, melt-in-your mouth donuts. And now he offers donut sundaes--have you ever?! If you find yourself at the flea market, run, do not walk, to his booth and treat yourself. Seriously. They are beyond yummy! The donuts were just the first course; Stephanie and I set up a little picnic area to eat the main course—I knew that old quilt would come in handy!




















Tinsel Trading Co. had some very cool stuff, as always. And what about these shoes? Don't you just wonder where the little feet that wore them are now? What stories they could tell...

There always seems to be plenty of body parts, and bodies missing parts....

I found myself looking over my shoulder more than once, as there seemed to be some unsavory characters there.


And then there are the folks who snap photos incessantly, so consider a disguise if you don't want to be recognizable on someone's blog.

I do love seeing all the glamour girls who show up in all their finery. I envy the way they always look so calm, cool and collected, even in the heat.


I found some goodies for the attendees of the upcoming *retreat, but my 'get' of the day was this old tea box from Boston, MA. It had my name written all over it--literally! I'm slowly taking back my maiden name of Woods, so this was a 'sign' that it was meant to come home with me.

All in all, a really great Fourth of July—hope yours was too!

(*The last day to register for the July retreat is this Friday, July 9. If you can't make it, don't despair—there's another fabulous lineup coming in February. Details soon!)

Trekking towards the journey...

Preparations are in full swing here for the upcoming retreat. I thrive on the flurry of activity, jumping from one thing to another, crossing things off the list, and finding solutions to the challenges that inevitably arise.
One of the things that's most important to me is to make retreat items with my own hands, and to use recycled/repurposed materials whenever possible. It's so rewarding when an idea takes hold and I can bring it to fruition. Sewing fabric, tearing ribbon, putting together bags of ephemera—lots of love goes into it all, which is why I choose to hold small retreats. This is what makes it such a joy for me.


Of course, it's always nice to have some help too. Max lends a hand whenever he's not out chasing down the blue jays, or gifting me with rodents.

In the midst of all of this, I'm getting ready to post the classes for the Feb. 2011 retreat as well. And wow, oh wow, are they great!! Stay tuned for more on that next time...

We're having some gorgeous weather here in northern California--seems summer has finally arrived! I hope it's just as beautiful for you, wherever you are.