michelle my belle

the finished dolls & dudes!

this class was SO MUCH FUN!!! (well, besides our toaster ovens kicking the breaker box 30 times)
it helped that everyone in the class were artists in their own right and had NO LACK of creativity!

i wanted to take them all home with me.

i loved how people's personalities showed through in their creations.
and as you can see, we had an abundance of personality!


thank you to everyone who took my workshop!
you were amazing. each and every one of you! SERIOUSLY AMAZING.

and i'm really sorry to do it this way, but if i'm ever going to actually get this post up...
here is a list of blog/websites of some of the gals in the class where several of them have posted more pictures of their pieces and more details about their artfest experience.
please check them out...
kt40's blog
lemoncholy's
lambsworld
stephanie schleicher
kaleidoscope lane
an li na designs
jill berry
miss mindy
lori carey
danielle daniel
annie hooten
nicci battilana
jessie starling

**i know that i am missing a few people's pieces which i can't quite figure out how that happened. :(
if you notice your missing and have a few pictures you could send me i'd love to add them to this post.**

owl lover 2012 calendar!

i am super thrilled to be part of Shivani's 2012 owl lover calendar!
pick from 45 amazing artists.
easy to download and print out... and it's FREE!

my owl is the one on the bottom right.

perfect for an early year gift. and did i say FREE! :)

if you like owls you JUST MUST check out her fun owl filled blog!!

this friday!!!

if you're here in the portland/vancouver area...
my friend melody ross of bravegirls is coming to town!!!
i met her at artfest a few years ago and was instantly smitten with what a talented, beautiful soul she was.
along with the art show she'll also be doing a painting workshop on thurs. night.
come meet her, you'll love her and her work!

 

the cutest shop in minneapolis!

my friend april owns 3 shops in the detroit area and i love cute, fun stuff.
so the natural thing for us to do while in MN for the creative connection was to visit local cute shops.
patina, digs studio and my FAVE... i like you.
the pictures below depict just how awesomely killer, this all handmade artisan shop in MN just is.

chocked full of lovely art, cheeky quotes, gorgeous jewelry... and a SWING to boot!

even the outside is fun!


and the displays... out of this world!
this one is definitely on my DIY to make list.
i'm scheming of all the crazy items i can hold hostage in an upside down glass!

and let's not forget the absolutely adorable one and only...co-owner sarah sweet!
who makes this magic happen.

the creative connection

the creative connection was awesome!
i met up with gift show friends- april of catching fireflies and leigh of curly girl.
leigh went last year but for april and i, this was our first!

left mid: me, the infamous susan branch and april

i think there was a fancy dessert at every meal.
did anyone else notice that?
my pants are reminding me of it still to this day!

one of the workshops i took was with the lovely leslie shewring.
she was the inspiration for our 2011 allen designs catalog.
it was quite an honor to meet her and see her in action.

april, leigh, kelly rae and me

okay kelly rae, i think you and i need some heels... or new shorter friends!!!

jessica with her sweet washi tape pendant

kelly rae, me, claudine hellmuth and april

lizzy flanagan, leigh and ..... oops...can't remember her name! :(

cute girls from provo craft!

boy, i'm realizing i really hammed it up! 
there were so many inspiring women entrepreneurs, my head was spinning.

i came away with a long list of new aspirations.
i came away encouraged.
and best of all, i came away with new friends and phenomenal memories!
thank you jo packham, i'll be back.

prayer changes things

this is my momma... isn't she awesome. :)
she has a free beautiful download available for a few days.

i feel like i've been going through so many ups and downs lately.
prayer changes things, i'm believing that.


her hand-lettering is just beyond cool, don't-cha think?


maybe even a coloring page with this one.

okay, off to begin yet another day.
this day WILL BE BETTER than yesterday.

sculpted owl mail treats!

before i go on and on about TCC (the creative connection)...
i must show you this darling, DARLING gift i received in the mail!
is this little hand sculpted owl not the cutest?!
thank you my sweet friend Tammy McGee/The Gypsy Chronicles!
you are an inspiration of kindness and perseverance to all of us.
even her envelope invited squeals of delight!

i love you sweet friend.
i'm so glad our paths have crossed.

 

 

surprise gifties & loot!

just looky at what Julie gifted me!!!
when her surprise came in the post my heart just exploded.
thank you, thank you, thank you julie!
check out more of her cheery art here!

not to rub it in, but i've actually been doubly blessed-
i won studio waterstone's giveaway!! woo hoo!!
thank you lori!

i'm getting the feeling it's almost time for me to pass on the love and do another giveaway.
stay tuned. :)

some artsy treasures

a few things i treasure...

the cup that holds my special (special meaning-i don't let them sit in the water for days!) brushes.
i found this at a little swap meet (cheap, maybe $2!) when my husband and i went to Italy.
it's old and chipped and my favorite thing i brought back with me.

the rusted out table a friend brought me.
he knows i like old junky stuff and probably thinks i'm crazy.
thank you Bud!

the beautiful Geninne print AND the killer rounded edged IKEA frame.
i can't wait to get a few more of these frames!

and the girl vase from a past Allen Designs line.
i loved working in ceramics and hope to venture that direction again someday.

*thank you for your encouragement on my last post. i'm doing better today. sorry for whining!

some new friends

i've added some new artsy friends to my sidebar for your enjoyment and perusing.

the talented and kind  Sunny Carvahlo.
you just MUST visit her blog and read this very sweet story about her brother.


the amazing- Regina of Creative Kismet.
she's always coming up with clever crafts!


and the sweetest ever- Tammy of The Gypsy Chronicles

hope you enjoy them as much as i do. :)