Hi there friends. I have LOTS to share with you from my trip down to Ashland for Art in Ashland. This trip was SO friggin' unbelievable! From start to finish...just amazing! So let's get started!
To start my vacation off right, the evening before I left, I treated myself to a mani-pedi. :-)
This was a very nice way to catch my breath and transition into the fabulousness I knew was ahead of me.
To add to the fun, Miranda and her boyfriend, Josh, decided to make the trek south with me so that they could do some camping in the Ashland area. Now if you know my daughter, you know she is a non-conformist, independent, unique thinking kind of girl. Her style of "camping" was to have me drive her to the middle of nowhere, dump her off, and leave. There was no agenda. She had knowledge of where "free" camping was available, but that was it. But I fully support this kid making adventures for herself and creating stories she'll have to tell her grandchildren, so I put aside my personal fears and played my role. I am very happy to report that Miranda did find the adventure she was looking for and she and Josh had a great time. The happy (and friggin' cute) campers...
So once the kids were on their own, although I was feeling a bit unnerved, it wasn't too difficult getting into the full swing of Art in Ashland. My roomies for the week were Kari and Cassondra. We had an adjoining room with Natalie. I sure do adore these girls. Such kindred spirits and just so kind, generous, and fun. Even before we even made our way into town for the opening event, I was completely happy.
The opening festivities included refreshments, gift bags, shopping, crafting, seeing friends I've met before, and meeting lots of new friends. Here are a few pictures...
I look at these pictures and SO miss these people already. I wish there had been more time to visit. That's the downside to these events...you spend the first few days getting to know who's who and just when you start making connections, it's time to go! I'm so thankful that I got to spend the time that I did with these beautiful artists and that we exchanged information. I'll be looking forward to the next time our paths cross.
So here are the FABULOUS instructors for the event, Anahata Katkin, Amy Hanna, and Pam Garrison.
The opening event was at the Ashland Community Center. Lovely little spot in the middle of Lithia Park. The classes were then held at the Ashland Springs Hotel.
The first class was with the fab Pam Garrison. Such a talented and gifted artist. This was a day I took lots pictures of some of the amazing artists I got to spend time with...
Jennifer and Cassondra...
Here is a picture of the journal I altered in Pam's class...still a work in progress but mostly done...
I didn't do much to alter the inside since I loved the original paper. I did add a French word card that Natalie shared (the generousity was amazing!)
Le mot which translates to "word."
The evening after the first day's class was our free night. Kari, Cassondra, Natalie and I went out for a nice meal at an Italian restaurant, then went for a walk through Lithia Park and then went back to the hotel. We made Bailey's Shivers and then Natalie, who is a Lilly Ollo consultant, VERY generously brought supplies, including a kiln!, and showed us how to make some Silver Clay charms. Here are mine...
I actually made two other charms but I can't show you those since they're going to be gifties for two certain sisters of mine. :-)
The next day's class was with Amy Hanna. Fabulous artist and fabulous soul.
I fashioned the above "hold dear" charm in Amy's class and made these two pieces.
I'm pretty sure I would have been able to make more but I spent A LOT of time in this class just wandering around looking at the loot people brought. I wish I would have thought to just go around and take pictures. Amazing. I did snap a picture of some of Cassondra's stash...
Okay...I think I'm gonna stop here. I still have some pictures from our adventure to PaPaYa's warehouse, Anahata's class, the Cupcake and Champagne Soire, and our trip to the Oregon Vortex. However, Glen leaves for another two week trip tomorrow so I'm gonna go spend some time with my sweet partner.
Love you all and hope you have a fabulous week!!
OH MY STARS! Everything is amazing-all of those beautiful smiling faces, those friggin cute campers, those baubles! I'm so glad you had such a fabulous time and I'm looking forward to seeing more photos! xo-Mel
Posted by: Melissa Lobdell | August 11, 2008 at 07:41 AM
Wonderful photos, Sweetie! I can see what a good time you must've had, judging by the excellent company, amazing teachers, and fabulous art supplies. You got a lot done, too.
Posted by: Lilli | August 11, 2008 at 09:34 AM
Wow! What a great time!!! I took one little 2 hour class on Saturday and was over the moon. I can only imagine what I would do if I had 2 whole days!!!!! I would probably selfcombust....
Posted by: Karin@creativechaos | August 11, 2008 at 10:52 AM
They are a great threesome, and the girls you hooked up with are so marvelous!!
Your creations are divine!
Posted by: Maija Lepore | August 11, 2008 at 07:23 PM
Holey Moley! That looked fantastic from beginning to end and I would have loved to see some shots of everyone's stash! i am salivating at that bejeweled piece in the upper right hand corner of Cassondra's (photo) box...YUM!
Posted by: Gina | August 12, 2008 at 09:35 AM
what a wonderful time it looks like! Someday I'm going to venture to the west coast for a retreat...Looks spectacular!
glad you had lots of fun and made great memories!
xo natalea
Posted by: Natalea | August 12, 2008 at 09:38 AM
Hey Michelle! I finally got home and went through all my goodies I got from Art and Ashland and decided that the little goodie packs that you gave out was my fave! So nice to have met you and spent time in Ashland! Great blog too!
xoxo
Christine
Posted by: Christine | August 12, 2008 at 01:11 PM
Hi!! Wow-love all your pics. Jealous you got to hang with Kari-I need to meet her! I love the jewelry and charms you made-especially the turquoise-ish necklace. And cute pic of Miranda, the camper! See you soon!
Posted by: Gina Smith | August 12, 2008 at 10:17 PM
Hi Michelle, it's Linda from Seattle and your pictures make me feel even more sad to have missed the Ashland class this summer. Last summer down there was such fun. This year family picnic had to come first as the uncles are all in the 80's and who knows what next year will bring. But I was sorry to miss this summer gathering.
Your pictures are great and it looks like everything you created turned out fabulous. Maybe next year Ana will do it again-on a different weekend.
The funny thing about life is this however, if I had been able to go to Ashland I would not be going to Teesha and Tracey's Odd Journaler's Workshop that starts tomorrow.
Keep up the fun posts and I hope you get to Artfest or Art and Soul in October. Linda
Posted by: Linda | August 14, 2008 at 09:16 PM