Sweet Finds

Oh, Marie!

 
    Marie, Marie, Marie!

What can I say?

My time spent with old friends was just what I needed.

The last 5 months,  I've been spending time with the kids...

doing mom stuff & crafting very little.

I thought my bloggin' days were over & that "art events"

were a thing of the past for me.

But, I think Cassi has changed that.  :)

I had a wonderful time at her event...  visiting with old friend & meeting new.

Cassi's Danse Des Fleurs event was breath-taking!

 
 
(me, Cassi & Bryanna)

 
 
 
Our first night was spent at the Marie Market Soiree.

Cassi asked me to assist with one of the make & takes...

So,  I spent the evening chatting with all the guest

as they created lovely hand mirrors.

 
The next day,  I enjoyed tea & scrumption desserts at a

cute little tea shop...  then later that evening, 

we dolled up for the Grand Ball.

 

 
 
(me & Bryanna)

We ate &drank...   and had a gay ol' time.

 
 
I luv this photo of Cassi!!!

(Jenn) 

 
 
(Bryanna, me, Tiffany, Karen & Michelle)

(Heidi, Karen, Jenn, Michelle, Marian, Sophie, me & Bry)

 
 
The roommate pic.

(Marian, Cassi, Bry, & me)

 
Marian.   Luv this photo too!!  :)

 
And Bryanna's face.  Too stinking cute.  LOL

 
(Sherry, Becky, Stephanie, & Julie Ann)

 Sunday was spent with Jennifer Hayslip, Heidi Wallingford,

and Cassi...  our wonderful instructors.

 
 
 
(Marian & me)

 
(Sherry)

 
(Michelle & Karen)

 
Lulu enjoying lunch.

Monday,  a group of us went to the flea

and then it was time to head home.

I had a wonderful time!!!

Thanks Cassi.  :)

***And big thank you & a hug to Tiffany Dixon

(Fancy Farmgirl)

for taking & sharing all these wonderful photos***

~hugs, Joanna

Spring Break in Phoenix

Please excuse my absence,

I've been in Phoenix for Spring Break.  : )

At first, I wasn't too happy about the

idea of driving from Dallas to Phoenix,

but I got some craftin' done in the car &

was able to see some beautiful views.

 

The beginning of the trip was more for the boys.

But we made it into a "family" thing

and enjoyed an evening at the ball park.

This is typically where I would yell,

"Go Rangers!"

However,  they lost both of their games while we

were in town.    So, I'm not gonna cheer them on.

At least not at the moment.  LOL

The rest of my trip was about the girls!

Or maybe, I should say...   about myself.  : )

My daughter & I spent an entire day in

downtown Glendale.  There are a ton of

antique malls there!  I loved it!!!

I spent St. Paddy's Day with my

special peep,  Maija!

You already know this...   but I just have to

say...   she is a DOLL!   She is so sweet & fun

to be around!

Maija picked us up at the hotel

and had the entire day planned;

Rust & Roses, Melrose Vintage, Frilly Frocks...

where Maija bought the cutest pants!!

Had lunch then went to Smeeks candy store

where we played around in the photo booth:

I don't remember the last time I goofed

around like this...

but it was fun.  LOL

 

And our last stop was Hollywood Regency Vintage

& Zinnias at Melrose to see/shop Tricia's (Vintage Bliss)

cute booth space:

I had a wonderful time Maija!!!!

Thank you sooo much for spending the day

with us.   I'll return the favor when you come to Dallas.

hugs, Joanna

Makin' Plans

I'm Over-the-Top ExCiteD!

I'm makin' plans to go to Georgia

for Jenn Hayslip's second event,

Petticoats & Parasols.

 
I attended her 1st event last year, En Le Jardin,

but sadly missed the "art" portion due to my

daughter's dance recital.  However, that won't be

a problem this year.   Tee-hee.

I plan on attending the entire event!

Actually, It seems things keep getting better & better.

Sherry of  Sherry's Rose Cottage has graciously invited

me to her home.  It was featured in the

Country Victorian Magazine,  here   

... and I am dying to see it in person.

I wonder if I'll be staying in her pink & aqua room?  : )

Anyhoo,  I fly in Tuesday.   Sherry & Jennifer Grenko

are planning a day of shopping for us

before we drive to Savannah on Thursday.

-

 I'm getting excited just thinking about it!

Jenn's event will be held here,

at the Ford Plantation.

 And Jo Packham will be attending as the Guest Speaker.

   

It will be great to hear Jo speak again.

She had everyone in tears at Silver Bella.

During the retreat, I'll be rooming with

Bryanna & Cassandra,  which I am also

looking forward too.   Eeek!  : )

Shopping, site-seeing, crafting, vendor night,

cupcakes, Jo & lots of friends...

see why I'm soooo excited???

-
 I think Jenn has a couple of seats open.

You should come!  : )

Birthday Get-away

I'm off to spend the next couple

of days here,

 

in Jamaica Beach,  Galveston. 

What a lovely place to celebrate

ones B-I-R-T-H-D-A-Y!  :)

 

Last year, my to-do list consisted of:

soakin' up some sun, relaxing, & having

some good ol' fashion fun.

 

This year,  I think I'll spend as much

time as possible here,

 

on the deck, stitching & enjoying the view.

I'll be back next week with some

Mermaid Trousseau peeks.

Have a great weekend!

 hugs,  Joanna

Georgia Get-away

My time in Georgia is best

described by mocking the famous

Master Card Commercial...  tee-hee

 

Airline ticket:  $283

Registration:  $200

Groome Transportation:  $59

Time spent with these lovely women...

PRICELESS!

 

I have to say my mini- vacation

was simply wonderful.

I spent less than 48 hours

at Jenn's, yet left feeling so

very relaxed, happy, and totally

rejuvenated.

 

(Cheryl,  Analise)

 

(Jessi)

 

(back row:  Kristen, Jennifer G.,  Sherry, Rosalyn Sue

center:  Lorraine)

 

(Analise, Karla, Kristen, Jennifer G.)

 

 If only for a day and a half,

I felt close to everyone.

I felt that sisterly love...

That wonderful sense of bonding.

 

We had time to talk about life ~

our families, finances, joys and worries.

 

We talked about our blogs, common friends,

art and upcoming swaps.

 

And like school girls ~ 

we giggled, laughed and at times acted silly.  : )

 

 We had fun!

En Le Jardin

My bags are packed

and I'm ready to meet Jessi & Kim

at the Atlanta airport!  : )

We're heading to Jenn Hayslip's

first art retreat,

En Le Jardin.

 

Jenn has a wonderful schedule

of events planned for us.

I'm sure it will be a total

Southern Belle weekend!  : )

I'm hoping to return with tons of pics

and a totally recharged

(creative) soul.

 

hugs, Joanna

PS.  check back... my Pink Saturday post

will reveal the lil' goodies

I'm swappin' at the retreat. 

Silver Bella '09

Woo Hoo!

The day has come!  :)

RegIsTrAtiOn starts tonight for this

amazing, glitter-filled, over-the-top event.

 

Emails have been flying.

Class schedules and roommate discussions

have all taken place.

The only thing left to do,

is start the count down.  :)

Without fail...   I will be sitting in

front of my computer tonight

when the clock stricks eight!  tee-hee

So,  do you have plans to go?

What class(es) are you most interested in?

If you've never been...   you should consider it!

It's simply amazing!

xoxo, Joanna

*edit*  as of 8:12 pm Central time... 

I'm registered & good to go!  :)

En Le Jardin

I've got Georgia on my mind!

... as in Savannah, Shopping & Sleep Overs! 

tee-hee

I'm one of the lucky lil' flower fairies

that will be attending

Jenn Hayslips' En Le Jardin Event

in May.

   

Unfortunately, I will not be apart of

the entire event.  I will actually be on

a plane Sat. morning, heading home

before the "crafting" begins.

 

But I AM thankful for a little

time away with like-minded friends.

 

I'm flying down Thursday afternoon.

Jessi & I arrive within 7 minutes of each

other... so we plan on sharing the car ride

to Macon.  I think Jenn has a casual

evening planned & then a full day of

shopping and sight seeing

  Friday in Savannah.

I am so excited about seeing some

of my Bella sisters again.  :)

Jenn has promised us a little

southern cuisine... so we'll be dining at

 one of the most historic restaurants

in Savannah,  The Olde Pink House.

(which is said to be Haunted!)

I'm hoping for a fun-filled, girlie lunch.

Elegant dining, southern attire...  

and NO GHOST!  tee-hee

xoxo, Joanna

The Barn

Day Three:

 Shopping in Temecula

  I shopped at La Maison Rustique!!!

well, forget the shopping...

but JUST for a minute, tee- hee

I "was" at the Barn!!!  :)

 

and what a place to be!!

... just look at some of the vignettes.

 

For almost a year now, I have gazed

at photos & secretly dreamed of attending

a sale, meeting the girls, and shopping.

 

(me, Linda & Deb)

(back row: me, Joy, Cheryl, Sherry, front row: Jessi)

I never really thought it would happen.

 But, I'm super glad it did!!!  :)

 

I picked up this adorable tee,

 

which I will more than likely "sport" at

the upcoming Paper Cowgirls.

And the wonderful Miss Gina,

gifted me this amazing work of art,

 

created by Rita.

(Thanks Gina!  I will forever think of you

when wearing your beautiful gift).

Hugs,

Joanna

The Event

La Petite Maison Blanc

 

Do I even need to say it?

Yes, I had an amazing time.  tee-hee

I had the opportunity to meet and

create along side several wonderful

and talented ladies...

 

(me, Kim Caldwell, Jenny Doh)

 

(me & Heather Bullard)

   

(Gina Grable, Jenny Morgan, Teresa McFayden, & myself)

 

Jessi...   being her cute & adorable self,

in front of the vendor tables.

 

(Amy Hanna's vendor space)

 

Before class:    beautifully decorated tables

lavished with gifts, chocolates, and

bouquets of flowers

 

During Class:   mountains of supplies,

happy students, less chocolate,

and beautiful flowers.

After hours of creating, swapping

and visiting...   a couple of us went to

The Cheesecake Factory for dinner.

 

Yummy!!!   :)

I think we finally got back to Gina's

around 3 AM "Texas" time!!!

xoxo, Joanna