blog hop continues/I am the spotlight artist this week!

Hi, thanks for stopping by! I'm this weeks spotlight artist in the blog hop.

Artful Gathering Event Registration is Open!

I'm the Spotlight Artist for The Artful Gathering Blog Hop!
Follow along with me for fun, creativity, and a chance to win a

$200.00 e-gift card from Jerry's Artarama!

This summer I will be teaching a fabulous premiere video workshop at

The Artful Gathering Online Art Retreat 2012

Soldering Flambé

From July 15 to August 25

You’ve heard of soldering with a torch, but it seems a little scary. Maybe even a little intimidating. Kecia has heard all the reasons that you might not be sure you are ready to try it. She's here to tell you it is easy, and that once you’ve been taught the correct way to do it, there’ll be no stopping you!

You will start from the beginning and learn how to operate the torch. From there it’ll be step by step, trouble shooting and learning the ins and outs of bringing solder to metal. After you learn how to operate your torch, you will practice bringing solder to your metal to build a background. From there you will be adding a bezel to your soldered metal to create a focal point. Once the focal point is set, you will add more layers and texture to the bezel by adding papers and dimensional items.

Then... Kecia will walk you through all aspects of using resin. Resin is another product that tends to “scare” people. Following her tips and advice, you will master resin easily. Kecia is an expert on the topic of resin - so take advantage of her knowledge!

Finally, you create a necklace for your newly, handmade, forged pendant! Kecia will discuss a few ways to build a chain using her own methods of creating with vintage, deconstructed elements. You’ll find that you’ll be learning quite a few different techniques all wrapped up in one class and what you’ll take away is the ability to create unique, funky, one of a kind soldered elements that can be used in jewelry (think pendants, bracelets, earrings....), bookmaking and more.

Come Hop With US!

Hop Rules:

If you would like to hop with us and meet all the super awesome Artful Gathering 2012 Art Instructors, and have a chance to win a random drawing prize in our random drawing, then hop with us! Each week, I will announce the blog for you to visit, and off you go to meet them, and to pick up the newest secret word. Your chance to win prizes....

1. For your chance to win, you must collect all the secret code words and submit them upon the final destination blog in May. A random drawing will be conducted from those contestants who have submitted the complete collection of secret words!
   
   


2. Three winners will be randomly drawn. One for the $200.00 e-card to Jerry's, and two runner's up for the 25.00 e-card to Jerrys!
   
   


3. This weeks word is ......Paints
   Next week, I'll announce the next person to hop to. Good luck!!!

an open letter to you

i penned you a note today:

Dear Art Friends,

"This is the year of being brave". It is time to jump in and explore. Forget the expectation, forget
being perfect and forget doubting every move that you make. Stop caring so much about the end result and see what happens! Freedom to explore, freedom to create and the freedom to trust yourself more. In the end, I believe you will find the process more enjoyable.

In inspiration,

kecia

be sure and stop by on Sunday as i will be the spotlight artist for Artful Gathering's blog hop!

Affaire at Tiffany's

there are still a few spots left, in case you haven't heard about the exciting art retreat going on in California, where I will be teaching in early May.

Kim Caldwell, of Artistic Affaire, is hosting another one of her amazing soirees. The theme is breakfast at Tiffany's. Go over to her website and read all about the event. There are fun classes, swaps, speakers, a pajama party (and a screening of the movie) and the chance to have some amazing photos taken by the very talented, Tiffany Kirchner Dixon. Finally, hop on the bus with us as we take in a day of antiquing.

Greetings from Florida/next stop on the blog hop

Greetings from sunny Orlando, where i am visiting my son and took an encaustic class with Patricia Seggebruch. (really fun!) I'm down here relaxing and enjoying the beautiful weather. I worked so hard the last 2 weeks to finish my online class for Artful Gathering before I left, that it is truly a well deserved vacation!

I leave here on Wednesday heading to Miami/Boca Raton to visit my friend, Pam, where we'll spend some lazy time on the beach, eating good food, drinking good wine, doing some art and having fun. Apparently it snowed yesterday in New Jersey, so i guess i left in the nick of time.

talk to you soon!

------------------------------------------------------

Celebrating Artful Gathering 2012 Online Art Retreat,
Open for Registration!

Blog Hop your way for chance to win!

From June to August 2012, ArtfulGathering.com will be presenting TWO exciting semesters of premiere online video workshops offered by fabulous artists who are known nationally and internationally. We are all very excited to share out knowledge, skill, and creativity with you, and we hope that you will join us for this AMAZING annual online event.

Blog Hop with us for a chance to win a prizes from Jerry's Artarama!

Each week the faculty of Artful Gathering will be announcing a featured blog to visit.

You can hop along with us until the final destination blog is reached, and where ONE Grand Prize winner will be chosen at Random for a chance to win a $200.00 e-gift card from Jerry's Artarama!!!

Two Runner Up winners will also be chosen at random for a chance to win a $25.00 e-gift card from Jerrys.

Each week I will announce the next featured blog for you to visit, and there you will find a new secret word or words that you will need to collect along your way from blog to blog. Once you have collected all the words from each blog you visit, they will work out to say a very artsy phrase. Here are the rules:

1. For your chance to win, you must collect all the secret code words and submit them upon the final destination blog in May. A random drawing will be conducted from those contestants who have submitted the complete collection of secret words!
2. Three winners will be randomly drawn. One for the $200.00 e-card to Jerry's, and two runner's up for the 25.00 e-card to Jerrys.
   
   

Week by week we'll go from one blog to the next!

Remember to collect all the secret words. These words will work out to say a very artful phrase, and you'll need all the pieces to be eligible for the final prize drawings!

Please HOP over and visit the Amazing Animal Portrait Artist...

Elizabeth G. Johnson

http://windandhoney.blogspot.com/

(Pick Up the Next Secret Word)

Sometimes

Sometimes as you live your life and do what you have to do, you tend to think of yourself as alone in your hardships. Today on facebook i posted a link about Catherine Graves who wrote a book about being a caregiver for her husband. the title of the article was "Wife slips into madness as husband dies of brain tumor". after posting the link, I added the comment, "i can so relate to this story".

a very sweet facebook friend commented back to me with this:

"Every day when I read your posts and see your photos I have the utmost admiration for you. Your creativity and talent are even more inspiring considering your role as a caregiver and mother. The fact you have any energy to do anything other than that is astounding. My background is in Community Service caring for people who are aged or disabled. Unlike you, at the end of my shift I could sign off and go home so I acknowledge that you, being a mother and carer of a young man with high needs, are doing an incredible job. I know it's not the same as having practical support but you have many friends on Facebook who are cheering you on. I hope our collective energy helps in some way. Your love and dedication to your family does not go unnoticed and whilst we are all amazed by your art we are blown away by your strength and fortitude, your caring and selflessness. You're never alone xxx"

-------------

I have to tell you, I was quite surprised to read something so incredibly sensitive and understanding to the day to day of my life. It was if she glimpsed inside my soul and saw what lays hidden there (the pain, the grief, the fear, the uncertainty, the stress, the sorrow- all of it).

I truly am grateful that she took the time to tell me that. It meant the world to me.

blog hop continues - week 2

Our Next Artist is Up for the Artful Gathering Blog Hop!

Celebrating Artful Gathering 2012 Online Art Retreat,
Open for Registration!

Blog Hop your way for chance to win!

From June to August 2012, ArtfulGathering.com will be presenting TWO exciting semesters of premiere online video workshops offered by fabulous artists who are known nationally and internationally. We are all very excited to share out knowledge, skill, and creativity with you, and we hope that you will join us for this AMAZING annual online event.

Blog Hop with us for a chance to win a prizes from Jerry's Artarama!

Each week the faculty of Artful Gathering will be announcing a featured blog to visit.

You can hop along with us until the final destination blog is reached, and where ONE Grand Prize winner will be chosen at Random for a chance to win a $200.00 e-gift card from Jerry's Artarama!!!

Two Runner Up winners will also be chosen at random for a chance to win a $25.00 e-gift card from Jerrys.

Each week I will announce the next featured blog for you to visit, and there you will find a new secret word or words that you will need to collect along your way from blog to blog. Once you have collected all the words from each blog you visit, they will work out to say a very artsy phrase. Here are the rules:

1. For your chance to win, you must collect all the secret code words and submit them upon the final destination blog in May. A random drawing will be conducted from those contestants who have submitted the complete collection of secret words!
2. Three winners will be randomly drawn. One for the $200.00 e-card to Jerry's, and two runner's up for the 25.00 e-card to Jerrys.
   
   

Week by week we'll go from one blog to the next!

Remember to collect all the secret words. These words will work out to say a very artful phrase, and you'll need all the pieces to be eligible for the final prize drawings!

Please HOP over and visit the Amazing

Laura K. Aiken

(Pick Up the Next Secret Word)

http://www.laurakaiken.blogspot.com/

When a photo speaks to you

I found this picture on facebook and i just love it. it makes me feel so happy. i love the look of glee on the pups face.

it makes me yearn for a warm summer day where i could be running around playing with this little fella. maybe we'd come across a stream of water, where we'd rest and enjoy a picnic. seems like a lovely day.

what story do you feel when you see this picture?

Promotional video for Artful Gathering

This summer I am teaching an online workshop for Artful Gathering. I am quite excited about my foray into online workshops and will be doing some on my own and some through a few others events.

I've been working hard on my videos and although filming in my studio (there aren't any doors to close) has been challenging (barking dogs and other things!), i'm getting the hang of it and having fun.

My class will be session two which runs July 15-August 25.

Lisa Loria, coming soon!

Just wanted to do a reminder that Lisa Loria will be here teaching a fun class called, Bling Baby. It's the perfect amount of fun and art to chase those winter blues away for a little bit!

Plan on a fun, casual day of art making where we merge old dolls and found objects to create our own bling baby treasures.

We look forward to the play date!

details:

when: Saturday, February 11th, 2012

where: Lemoncholy's Studio

1606 Oxford Lane

Wall, NJ 07719

time: 11:00-4:00

cost: $135.00 to be paid via paypal

please contact me for further details at keeshagirl4@aol.com

Celebrating Artful Gathering 2012 Online Art Retreat

Celebrating Artful Gathering 2012 Online Art Retreat,
Open for Registration!

Blog Hop your way for chance to win!

From June to August 2012, ArtfulGathering.com will be presenting TWO exciting semesters of premiere online video workshops offered by fabulous artists who are known nationally and internationally. We are all very excited to share out knowledge, skill, and creativity with you, and we hope that you will join us for this AMAZING annual online event.

Blog Hop with us for a chance to win a prizes from Jerry's Artarama!

Each week the faculty of Artful Gathering will be announcing a featured blog to visit.

You can hop along with us until the final destination blog is reached, and where ONE Grand Prize winner will be chosen at Random for a chance to win a $200.00 e-gift card from Jerry's Artarama!!!

Two Runner Up winners will also be chosen at random for a chance to win a $25.00 e-gift card from Jerrys.

Each week I will announce the next featured blog for you to visit, and there you will find a new secret word or words that you will need to collect along your way from blog to blog. Once you have collected all the words from each blog you visit, they will work out to say a very artsy phrase. Here are the rules:

1. For your chance to win, you must collect all the secret code words and submit them upon the final destination blog in May. A random drawing will be conducted from those contestants who have submitted the complete collection of secret words!
2. Three winners will be randomly drawn. One for the $200.00 e-card to Jerry's, and two runner's up for the 25.00 e-card to Jerrys.
   
   

Week by week we'll go from one blog to the next!

Remember to collect all the secret words. These words will work out to say a very artful phrase, and you'll need all the pieces to be eligible for the final prize drawings!

Please HOP over and visit the Amazing

Jodi Ohl

www.sweetrepeats.blogspot.com

the fragility of life- 2012

I know, I'm a few days behind- but I've had a hard time celebrating the new year, so I guess I've just put it off. Tucker got sick (per usual) on Christmas Eve, which sent my adrenaline system into overdrive. It was really hard to enjoy opening gifts in between his coughing fits. It makes me sad for tucker, it makes me sad for dillon and it makes me sad for our family in general. All that stress hanging around in empty space above our heads, defeats in and all chances for enjoyment. It is difficult to describe, unless you know what I am talking about with the challenges of a special needs child and how it impacts the family and life in general, so I'll just have to leave it as, "sometimes it sucks".

then a few days later, a family friend's 10 year old niece, was killed in a car accident. This is a girl we've met at family functions and "know her". She was a beautiful blonde child with HUGE eyes and the cutest little bob ever. It is difficult to make sense of it. I almost wish i didn't know about it. I can barely think about it, it is so upsetting. My husband is there in Tennessee now, with his friends and the family. He is going to come home distraught and depressed; because we've been there- we know that sorrow. it is beyond devastating and there is little comfort beyond what little we are doing.

I can't help but reflect on how fragile life is. I keep thinking that less than a week ago, that precious child was celebrating Christmas with her family. She was probably very excited along with her darling little sister. And then she is gone. There is no making sense of it. Life is a random slot of numbers.

Sorry to be so melancholy. I've just said goodbye to dillon and sent him back to school (a difficult goodbye). the holidays are done and i'm feeling a little empty following the tragedy of an innocent child.