Online Class Envy

Have you seen the massive amount of online classes you can take from very talented artists? Some of my favorite mixed media divas are giving classes. I wish I had time and money to take them all!

Julie P is teaching a class with Golden Paints artist, Chris Cozen. I can imagine it's going to be a fabulously informative class. I feel like painting right now just thinking of it!  Go on over and check it out!

Wanna know about more inspiration?

Julie P. teaches other classes as well. I think the Layer Love looks to be my fav.

Paulette I. does the most beautiful faces, I'm quite envious.

I am so jonesing to take Mary Ann Moss' Remains of the Day course. Think of all the scrappys I'd use up!

Susan T. does beautiful photo altering work. I could use this class.

DJ Pettit, you can't go wrong learning anything from her. I'm would love to take her next class.

Suzy Blu is another favorite of mine. Her classes must be fabulous and she makes the most entertaining videos!

Susan S. is a newbie to me but her fiber pieces are gorgeous. She teaches classes as well.

Kelly K. makes the most beautiful journaling pages. You must check her out!

Violette's Bohemian Bliss class would be fun! I love all the details!

Connie H. has a new journaling class coming up. You can't go wrong with a class about Love!

A Faux Encaustics class is being taught by the fabulous Sweet Repeats artist, Jodi Ohl. A journaling class is coming up soon as well!

Oh my goodness. MossHill Studios artist JoAnnA P. is teaching online classes as well. How did I miss them?!

I know there are more of my artsy friends who teach classes but at the moment I'm drawing a blank. I'll add them as I remember.

EDITED to add:
Stephanie L. is doing a journaling class now. I would love to take that!

I did a search on Etsy where I see a lot of adds for Online classes and found all sorts of new people to be taught by. Take a look there as well!

Valentine's Day Art

Over on Altered Gypsy, I'm involved in 2 swaps. An altered canvas and a Valentines altered cigar box. I went with the actual old cigar box. I wanted gaudy pink, full of fun little details. The chandelier is an old playing card. I've been waiting to use that for awhile. The colors are so unusual.

I filled my box with lots of goodies; stamps, flowers, glitter and much much more.  I filled the mailing box with all kinds of extra goodies, but I'll leave those details as a surprise for my recipient! You can't see the sides real well but that are full of glitter, stick on trims and vintage velvety floral ribbon.

The canvas is a 6x6x1 1/2" piece. Glitter was the name of the game on this piece. The adorable lady's image is from Altered Pages.

I think I need to make a similar one for my own wall. I like it a lot.

Hope all is well with my artsy & other peeps. Life has been busy around here. Homeschool continues. The teen went snowboarding and being the klutzy one that she is, broke her wrist. Sigh. At least it comes complete with a hot pink cast. Small joys. The little one and I have had our share of winter colds complete with body aches and lots of sleeping in. Everyone is feeling better now, knock on wood. Trying to think up something fun to do with DH next weekend for Valentines that doesn't involve staring at the big movie screen or spending a ton of dough. I'm sure we'll figure something out. The art room is in shambles, the laundry pile continues to overwhelm. But I'm sure I'll get them both under control here soon.

We bit the wallet and purchased some new bedroom furniture in January. I'll have to share pics soon. It's all a dark merlot colored set so now I have visions of rich cranberry and vintage pink frothiness with which to decorate. Kind of like the inside of an expensive chocolate candy box. I'm not sure DH would appreciate living in there, especially not while playing his war game on the PS3. Probably messes with his manly factor. lol Back to the drawing board on how to decorate. But I think I'm tiring of the brown, avocado and aqua I have now...

How would you decorate if you had carte blanche?

I Can-Can, Can You?

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Okay, so it wasn't the Can-Can, instead, the Conga. But I did see a few feet kicks happening around the bend. Last night's party with friends was wonderful. Lots of free flowing food and sparkling cider, laughter from adults and crying from sleepy children rounded out a great evening. After the nervous pup pup calmed down and didn't scare the children with barking, all was good.

I firmly believe how ever you start out your new year can be the beginning of how your year is going to go. I'm going to completely ignore the fact that I've only eaten M&Ms and Doritos all day but someone has to get rid of the junk! Back to Low Carb tomorrow. Starting the year out with friends is always a good start. I'd say all in all it was a successful 2009 year. A couple of highlights:

1. I lost 50 lbs. This is a huge accomplishment and one I plan to repeat in the new year.

2. The teen had her first semester of college simultaneously with her homeschooling. Not the best experience but I'm hoping this coming year will be a strong finish to her homeschooling days. She graduates in May. Cross your fingers and say a little prayer.

3. DH ran his first marathon. At Disneyworld through all the parks, In January. He's planning on getting back to the running again this month.

4. The little one has really blossomed. Growing taller, likes to wear a bit of makeup and straighten her hair. She's growing up before my very eyes.
5. DH took a new job after years at a dead-end one. And it has FULL benefits! Hallelujah!

6. I've been getting semi-organized. I'll admit, the new art room downstairs is not finished by any stretch of the imagination. But to be fair, it IS out of my dining room and on its way to being the best place to do art with everything having a set place to be stored. I'm looking forward to its completion.

7. We spent quite a few times in the ER this year with asthma attacks, ankle sprains and even a stint in the hospital for the teen's MRSA hand surgery. We are very thankful that everyone is doing well now. I even got the vents cleaned out (Yes, mother after 15 years.) So I'm hoping that helps with the allergies/asthma.

8. This has been the year of new/renew. New furniture, new electronics, fixing our house up, making repairs (many more to come in the spring), taking pride in where we live. It's a start. Now its time to have people over more often. I'M even starting to like our house. lol

9. Artistically I started out the year with a bang and ended with a fizzle. I plan to make goals this year of art I want to accomplish and to stick with it. I received a new camera for Christmas and thought I would make the goal of  posting a picture a day. I started a blog just for this purpose. 365OrMore.

10. We're very thankful for a faithful God who forgives, loving family, loyal friends, working cars, funny children, a boyfriend of our teen's that we actually like. These are important things! lol

Looking forward to a new year of possibilities, accomplishments and triumphs. Dh has resolved to kiss me at least 10 time each day. I am definitely going to hold him to that! lol

Happy New Year to all of you.