Counting down!

Only three more days until registration opens for the Feb. 2011 retreat! This all-inclusive retreat will take place from Feb. 17-21, with a maximum of 90 students. If you're planning on joining us, I suggest you register early as I expect some classes to fill quickly, especially since I've reduced the sizes. I am so excited for this one--it feels like a real winner already, with such a wild range of creative instructors. Do read the class descriptions carefully and check out the instructors' blogs so you know exactly what type of treat you're in for.

Orly Avineri's class focuses on nature journaling, and is sure to touch your soul in the deepest places.

Stephanie Lee will take you on a whirlwind ride exploring the many possibilities of using plaster in various art forms.

Nina Bagley is sharing her latest jewelry-making techniques with you, this time incorporating crocheting and fabric hearts in her pieces.

Albie Smith will share her wealth of knowledge in creating original papers of your design, which you'll then bind into a book of your choosing.
And Jesse Reno will open up a wellspring of creativity you didn't know existed in you, with his fearless painting class.

This is SUCH a strong lineup of creative talent and energy, that you can't possibly go wrong with any of them. It just depends on where your heart leads you at this time!

Registration begins this Tuesday, August 10, at 9am Pacific time. Registration is online only, and spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. I hope to see you there!

ps--if you'd like to see photos of the recent Journey retreat last month, head on over to my Flickr page. We had an awesome time!

On why I've been MIA...

I could write a list a mile-long to explain my blog absence, but then you'd get bored and fall asleep by the time you reached #137. I considered doing blog "installments," but then I realized it would take me at least another 3 months to finish, as I tend to make things much more complicated than they ever need to be.

Once I remembered the old 'KISS' adage--Keep It Sorta Simple--I started breathing a little deeper and was able to start in on this post (yeh, I know it's supposed to be 'keep it simple, stupid', but I never liked the 'stupid' part, so I changed it. It suits me much better now).

But if I HAD done installments, these would likely have been the general categories:

1. Preparing for the Journey retreat (including lots of silly fun with DJ here)



2. Being swept up by another awesome Artful Journey experience...truly amazing! (Go to my Flickr page to see lots more pics)



3. Continuing the playtime after the retreat

4. Catching up with loved ones



5. Gathering goodies for the next Artful Journey retreat -- February 17-21, 2011. (Registration opens next Tuesday, August 10!)




















6. Taking care of myself...
Anyway, that's what I was thinking I might post about. But since I'm not, I'll just leave you with a photo of a chap I met up at the retreat. He reminded me to slow down, be still, and appreciate the small miracles that surround us each day.