If Cosmo Could Talk

Hey You!

Stop making art and feed me some crunchies.

The Martha Stewart Line...

has arrived! Well, the domestic diva has struck again with her new craft/scrapbooking line at Michaels. I am often in this store picking up supplies and one of the employees told me that they were given strict directives by Martha's handlers to clear out all merchandise from the first aisle to make room for her products. They did this and apparently Martha's "people" said the lighting was inadequate on the first aisle and made them move everything off the second aisle. They also said they cannot tag her products like they tag their other merchandise. She certainly is a control freak...worried about her pristine image and all...ha ha. Anyway, my first impression of her line is that it's nice, very well-made, and a bit predictable. Lots of eyelet cards and envelopes, gift wrap paper, colored glassine paper in tubes, sticker tags, cupcake and pastry boxes and accoutrements, markers, stamps, various glues, glitters, self-healing cutting mats, pom-pom kits, ribbon boxes, etc. The biggest surprise was the size of her largest scrapbook. It's ginormously huge....like 20 x 20! The papers for it are 18 x 18! I guess if you wanted to make an over-the-top, larger-than-life scrapbook, this might be kind of fun. But, I'm telling you it's so big, I don't know how you would store the thing. If you've been pining for a big canvas to play on then check it out. I think it's about 80 bucks. Here are a few things I picked up...white label stickers and glittered letters...a set of six different colored baker's twine...various glues...seam binding ribbons and several bottles of fine and course glitter (it's not glass, but the colors are spectacular). It's so much fun to create with new supplies.

On a spur of the moment decision, I have decided to attend the Art & Soul retreat in Virginia. I leave next Thursday so, unfortunately, no time to make swaps. With the extensive class supply lists, it's a chore to find everything and get packed! Many of the classes were already closed, but I signed up for one paper arts class, one assemblage class, and two journaling classes. I'll be sure to share my creations when I return. As Ms. Stewart would say, "It's a good thing."

A Surprise Excursion

My sweet husband surprised me with a trip to San Francisco and the wine country for some much needed rest and relaxation. I've been to CA many times before, but I had forgotten how beautiful it is there. The cool sunny weather. The gorgeous flowers. Good grief! Now, I really get why people will pay big bucks to live there. We spent two days in the city taking in the sights. We walked the Filbert steps, ate dim sum in Chinatown, drank beer in Haight-Ashbury, and chilled out in Golden Gate park.


Instead of wearing flowers in my hair, I wore them between my toes! After spending an afternoon visiting Sausalito (the best fish and chips!) and Tiburon (what amazing views!), we headed north and spent six days in the wine country.











My favorite thing was walking among those amazing redwoods...such a spiritual experience. I wanted to hug all of the trees and soak up their wise, life-affirming goodness.

We picnicked on the beach and regressed to 12-year-olds when we threw pieces of roast chicken to the seagulls. Wow! I didn't really think about those birds being carnivores, but as Jim put it, "If they'll eat clams on a rock, they'll eat chicken on a Mustang." We had to find the nearest car wash soon after, but it was worth all of the laughs.

We toured vineyards, went hiking, ate fresh, flavorful food, and of course, drank loads of wine.

This trip was the perfect antidote to our stressed out lives. My battery is recharged! Thanks, Babe.

Hippity Hoppity...

...Easter's on its way! The gold foil rabbit and Faberge eggs were made at my local Recollections. Wishing everyone a basket full of bunnies, chocolates, and easter eggs, and a joyous and relaxing Easter holiday!

Small Treasures

There is still plenty of good junk to be had in small Texas towns. Had to stop at one roadside antique store on the way to see the folks. My heart goes pitter patter every time I see vintage valentines, buttons, baby photos, or horse ribbons. Can't wait to make art with some of these items.

Just a little something to cheer me up for not being able to attend ArtFest or Art Unraveled or Art & Soul this year. I'm going through a challenging time, and circumstances have made it difficult for me to travel this year. I really appreciate all the awesome bloggers out there who document their travels and experiences at these retreats. Vicarious thrills are better than none at all!

Cool Country Cows

Took a trip home to see my parents, and, as always, I got a great home-cooked meal and a visit to the country. My dad has cows that often have twins. (Is this common?) Unfortunately, mama cow doesn't always recognize one of the calves as her own and refuses to let it nurse. It's nothing new to my dad and a pain in the rump to give the calf a bottle twice a day, but it's always fun for a city mouse like me.

Meet Jack. He has an appetite as big as his eyes and sucks a bottle like a pro. What a cute milk mustache! He's doing pretty well, although he may need years of therapy for abandonment issues. Man, farm life is harsh!









After feeding Jack, we (well, I watched) loaded hay onto the trailer and drove to the ranch to feed the other cows. Rosco expertly picked up the round hay bales and placed them on the trailer. Other cows came running to get a nibble of the hay before we pulled off. Then, we carefully made our way through town (slow on those turns!) and delivered the hay. Daddy honked the horn a few times to let the cows know we'd arrived and, a few minutes later, here they came. Jogging over the hill. Mamas and their babies and one ginormous bull.

Farm livin' is the life for me!!