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.

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.

Mark Your Calendars!

I'm SO excited to announce that the 3rd Artful Journey will take place February 17-21, 2011! I'm thrilled to have Stephanie Lee, Albie Smith and Nina Bagley returning to teach, and to welcome newcomers (to An Artful Journey), Orly Avineri and Jesse Reno.

(Sample journal pages from Orly's workshop)

We're working on the class descriptions, and the info will be up on the website around mid-July, but here's what I do know:

Nina is developing a "glorious" jewelry workshop especially for An Artful Journey! She's thrilled to be teaching here again, and I'm certain that her class will be amazing...as always.

Orly is offering a 3-day nature journaling workshop, "exploring the vast nature that is all around us while discovering our own expansive nature, that of our fellow journeyers, and the many ways that we are all mysteriously and beautifully connected."

Jesse's art is all about painting, and his class is suitable for beginners, advanced students, and everyone in-between. His work is magic, and he's anxious to share his techniques and how he approaches his art with his students.

Jesse Reno's work

Jesse Reno

Stephanie's workshop will focus on working with plaster, presenting techniques and projects from the book that she and Judy Wise are working on (due out next May!) In Stephanie's words, "I'm always amazed at how transformed and inspired students are after playing with plaster. They are intrigued when they sign up and then by the end of class, they are in love with the surface, with all the incredible things they can do with it. It really is an amazing medium."

Albie will once again be offering a 3-day exploration of color, design and techniques for putting together a journal of your own design. Her class this past February was very popular, and those who didn't take it wish they had!

Registration will open August 10 at 9am pacific time. I do expect some of the classes to sell out quickly, especially since I've lowered class sizes a bit as well. It would be great if you joined us!

Color-full days

Out and about, focusing on color. It seems to be sprouting up everywhere lately.

How cool are these birdhouses made of wood and metal? Makes me want to go hunt down my tin snips...

Having grown up with two brothers, and then having two sons, I didn't do the girlie stuff (even now my friends can't talk me into a pedicure). Now that I have two granddaughters, maybe I'll make up for lost time. At the very least, I can practice on them...they're very forgiving. For now.

Hope you're enjoying the warmth of these long summer days!