Gifts

I've started this post at least 10 times in the past 2 weeks.
Birthdays, Mother's Days, end of school festivities, preparing for Paper Cowgirls, they have sucked every free minute from my day. 
But I had to show off some amazing birthday gifts I received! 

My postman is so impressed with the mail I get.

So exotic, such far-away places. 

Can you guess who sent this one?

Dorthe is one of my dearest, most treasured friends. I know many of you feel the same way about her.

She is simply the best!

I love getting Dorthe packages because I keep every little scrap, from the stamps, to the newsprint.

All of it eventually makes it's way into my work.

 I'm in love with Dorthe's collages.

The layers are so soft, lovely & filled with nature.

I can close my eyes & see her walking along the shore collecting driftwood & shells to incorporate into her art.

Always a sweet note included.

My East Sea Angel, she is magical! Thank you sweet friend!

She'll take her spot on my bookcase that's filled with art, friendship & love from all over the world. 

 There's actually more than 1 bookcase.

 This precious heart from Marie  has a spot on there too.

I am so lucky to have in-laws who not only love me,
but 'get me'!

Ted & Sandy put so much thought into every gift they give me.

Lot's of metal, an old handbag & I think this is a safety deposit box.

Love it all!!

 Dawn always sends me little things for no reason at all.  We'll be talking about something, like bark.....a few days later I get a box filled with strips of bark from her property!  And I used it all in my nature journal pages!

This time she sent me one of her adorable child shoe pincushions.

No doubt I had gone on & on over how sweet it was, then a week later a package at my door!

Another overseas package arrived last week, this one from Germany.

Julia, what can I say about her.

I love her art SO much, & am lucky to have so much of it here in my home. 

Whenever I get things from Julia I want to call her up & say 'how did you do that'????

 Unfortunately she lives in Germany so I can't.

 Some people are not fans of bugs, but I am!  I told her once that one of my favorite things is a zoology book printed in Germany 1878. I think she remembered!

 I don't know if you can tell but the bugs are printed on leather! How did she do that?
Is it a stamp? A transfer?

 And I Love, love this embellished box. Look how she stitched around the edges!

 What's better than a little box filled with vintage treasures???

 Not much.

Check out her resin charm, beautiful!

Last weekend was our Indian Princess family camp-out.

Before I leave I have to share some memories from the weekend.

The boys & I got to come along this time.

 The weather was perfect!

The food was perfect!

You would think with a bunch of Dad's camping the menu would be pretty basic. 

 Franks & beans, right?

We had an incredible Tex-Mex spread. Beginning with homemade black bean corn salsa & ending with  3 kinds of cobbler & ice cream!

Delicious, all of it!

This outdoor kitchen is fancier than my home kitchen!

Friends forever.

More for the memory book.

My art shot, I call this 'Lily of the Weeds'

If you made it through this entire post, thank you! It seems I don't post much lately, but when I do.........

We leave today for Austin to my niece Chelsea's graduation, time flys.

I hope you have a fantastic weekend!

Happy Mother's Day

Imagine waking up to these 3 faces!

I celebrate Mother's Day 365 days a year.

My birthday was Saturday & today is Mother's Day, needless to say I've been milking it.

I spent yesterday in bed with a pile of books & mags, my best friends Ben & Jerry, bad TV & 4 cutie pies waiting on me hand & foot!

I have to show you my favorite MD gift.

Aren't kindergarten projects the best?!!

Here's Lily's.

Here's Philip's. He loves me because I give him 'breaka-bars'.

That's a breakfast bar to the rest of the world.

 Owen loves that I give him money after doing chores.

I know Supernanny would blow a gasket, but if I didn't bribe my kids nothing would get done!

 In case your wondering, Owen came closest in the age game, but Philips getting an extra Twinkie for dessert!!

Apparently, Owen & I spend all day on the couch hugging & watching Oprah while Lily & Philip clean!

Thank you sweet friends for your birthday wishes.  I've got some presents to show you next week.

I hope your having an amazing weekend & a wonderful Mother's Day!

Birdsong

Karla's art event was absolutely amazing!

It's been days & I'm still coming down off my Kansas high!

 I was in awe of her ability to not only entertain & host 30 women, but to enjoy herself at the same time.

Her laid back attitude set the tone for the weekend.

(yes, her attitude & these slippers)

Everything was over the top awesome.

the food,

the atmosphere,

but especially the community of beautiful, generous women.

It was a little spooky staying in Karla's Cottage after reading about it for so many years.

I got to walk the fairy trail & see the disco ball in the garden.

Karla's home has just right balance of frill & whimsy.

There is a man cave upstairs, complete with pool table & humongous TV.

Here is the future home of the Nathan B&B!

OMG, her studio...........

Jammed packed with so much great stuff!

Just in case you wondered, there are 84 hats in here.

I forgot to ask how many rolls of wallpaper.

No detail was left undone.

  From the hand sketched table cloths,

to the bird themed desserts.

It was very cool meeting & teaching alongside Carol,& Debbie.

I think the girls loved the varitey of classes.

Everyone's project was truly unique.

 So many talented ladies!

I took part in Beth's Nature Journal swap.

Each page is a gorgeous reflection of the artist who created it.

I brought back so many wonderful gifts & 

souvenirs.

But the greatest gift of all was the friendship & memories.

It was so fun seeing old friends again, & meeting some new ones!

I can't wait till next month when Beth, Karla, Sherry, Kana, Marie, Cami & a few others will reunite at Paper Cowgirls!

So Karla, when's Birdsong 2?

PS

Happy Birthday !