1892 - Who are these people?

Last year I signed up for Mary Ann Moss' online workshop entitled "Remains of the Day". Check out some of the photos on her blog....http://dispatchfromla.typepad.com. The workshop teaches you how to make fabulous journals, and although I have yet to finish mine, the yahoo group associated with the workshop is fantastic and I've done some swaps with the participants. I highly recommend you sign up......it is well worth your hard earned $$.

Anyway.....Mary Ann has hinted that she is coming out with a new class in June and that in preparation for it, we should purchase a vintage photo album. Knowing how great Mary Ann's classes are, those of us who "know" her are ready to click on the PayPal button and buy it as soon as it becomes available.....sight unseen....that's how wonderful her workshops are!

So last week I watched the auctions on eBay and I purchased one. It came today and I am blown away by the wonderful piece of history I purchased for only $21. It dates back to the late 1800's and came with many, many picture plates of people from the past, posed for all eternity. There aren't many names written anywhere in the book, so I am left to wonder who these people were and why the album now belongs to me and wasn't handed down to their ancestors. It is a treasure and I am so happy to now be the keeper of these beautiful portraits from the past.

Artfest and Journal 365

I got back from Artfest last week. Words cannot express what a wonderful time I had. I met up with four great ladies with whom I shared a rental car and we are now forever known as the Fabulous Five. I took classes with Mary Beth Shaw, L.K. Ludwig and Karen Michel. All of them were awesome. I am now saving my pennies (and nickels and dimes and quarters) to return next year for the fourth time!!

I also signed up to do Pam Carriker's online workshop entitled "Journal 365" and today I finished making the book that I will use to do the exercises. The workshop is meant to take you through a year of journaling. This will be a wonderful journey!!

I'm a fool

Well, not really.....but it IS April Fool's Day. No one has played a trick on me yet, but being the gullible person that I am, I am sure that someone will get me before the day is over.

I am having a wonderful day. Jana Roberts Benzon is here from Salt Lake City to teach a polymer workshop (check out her website at http://www.janarobertsbenzon.com/) This will be the third time I've brought her down to Albuquerque to teach, and we are having a blast. She will be doing a "Meet the Artist" event tonight in the gallery, and we are getting ready for that, then tomorrow we start the "Laser Cut" workshop. Thank goodness there are no real lasers involved, because I'm something of a klutz when it comes to dangerous tools!! I'll post photos of what we make and you'll have to take a step or two back from your keyboard because you'll be drooling!! (that is, of course, if what I make turns out ok!!) In the meantime, above is a self portrait I took of myself on a recent trip to visit family in Miami, as well as a photo of my brother and me as he took me on my very first motorcycle ride!!