My Roomie... ZNE ConvenZioNE Part 9

It was a pleasure and a blessing to be roomed up with
Brandie Butcher-Isley from
Little Pieces Of Art
during the 5 day stay in Pleasanton.
She was a very nice roomie too !!
She does the loveliest work using old photos of forgotten people & even uses her own family photos in many of her pieces, scraps of papers and paint. I wish we would of had more time so that I could have taken her class too !!!

I feel so fuzzy inside when I see her work. Makes me smile !!!
I may just have to try my hand with an inspired piece myself. It was truly a relaxing time with her which I will always remember our evening coffee with a couple of the other gals downstairs in the Hotel . I hope to meet her again. She is such a delightful person.

The Girlzzzzzz..ZNE ConvenZioNE Part 8

I know, I know more ZNE pictures from the ConvenZioNE. I took many pictures. I am one that loves to snap tons of photos. I just couldn't help it.

Tbere was a lot fit into 5 days. It was great to meet people you have been blogging with or known of for many years. Bringing it to real life is almost priceless...when they are all together in one place at the same time. Ya know what I mean?

Okay so the top picture is
Katie Trott from
Katie Jean,
Me
&
Gitter & Grunge Queen
Claire Bone.

They were absolutely adorable. Miss Claire & I had much in common and have vowed to get together real soon. Her Hubby & my Hubby would sooo get along too !



Sweet Claire & Katie sitting pretty.
Miss ya guy's already !!

I had the chance to visit with
Miss Anna Corba
over dinner one evening.
She was a true delight and a beautiful quiet spirit.
Here we are below at the show before she left.

These crazy gals were a hoot. below is the fanciful
Lisa Kettell, Jen the fabulous Diva,
and
Jill of Jillz Whimzy

The sweethearts Gina Gabriell
me in the middle
&
Shari Replogle.

Below is me, Lisa and Gina.
Gina surprised me with one of her delightful dollies at dinner one night.
Yippee !!
She is adorable
( both doll & Gina that is)
The dollie reminds me of a rich old bag lady... she so needed a home.
Now she lives with me in style.
Ha ha.
Thank you Gina, I love the sweet dollie made by your hands.


Jill & Jenny...aren't they fun ?

The next picture below is
Lisa Kettell
and Crepe Paper Queen
Ann Denise Anderson.

Ann Denise Anderson is one of the sweetest peeps I have met... they all are truly sweet.
But, Ann Denise took it so well when Lisa & I played a couple lighthearted jokes on her.
Yes, we did !!

She was sleeping one night so sound. We were going to decorate her with her crepe papers...instead we placed a crepe paper crown on her head and took a picture. Out of kindness we will not post that picture.

Then during one of our dinner outings we told the waiter it was her birthday.....they came out with a huge sombrero, ice cream and sang to her. She was so embarrassed. It was a good laugh though. I just love her for that. She had no problem with enjoying her birthday ice cream all to herself either. And, her birthday isn't till August or something. LOL...

Lastly here's me, Lisa and Shari.
You gals are such Sweet hearts !!!

Believe it or not there is just a few more posts to conclude the ZNE ConvenZioNE. Hope you have enjoyed the pictures of my little experience.
See ya soon !!!

It was just so fun.

ZNE ConveZioNE Part 7: My Lil' Polka Dot Pixie Friend...

Oh, oh oh, soooo excited to finally meet my bloggy, Artist friend
Jenny Hernandez
from
The Polka Dot Pixie !!!
Geesh !
I think we have known eacother now for a good three years at least. It was such a treat to hang out with her arting it out !

I was honored to take her sweet Regalo Per Me class during
The Paperie & Pleasantries Show.

Lookie, lookie what I made !
A sweet Lil Blue Birdie in an egg. I love it so. Totally adorable.
Thanks Jenny, you had a great class !

I also brought home this sweet tweet !! He is so cute !!! Jenny's creations are absolutely fantastical and sweet. We promised one another to have a fairy swap... and will be making a trip to see her or visa versa, she will come see me !!!

You must visit her blog and many sites she sells her creations through.

There are already plans being made for an Art Retreat in

Lake Tahoe with the lovely Claire Bone from Glitter & Grunge & many more gals.
Woo Hoo !!

Art, Paperie & Pleasantries..ZNE ConvenZioNE Part 6

We had a great time just hanging out together...many friendships were made at this event.

I would like to introduce to you my friend
Ruth Rae.
She is so down to earth and may I add very talented with original jewelery making and creating beautiful pieces from different fabrics & textures.

Ruth and I had a great time while taking Gina's class at Tangerine.
Oh, good times !!!

I couldn't leave the Art, Paperie & Pleasantries Show without collecting a few pieces from a few of my friends.
Here is a piece of Ruth's heart.
I loved it so much I made it into a brooch.

She has been featured in magazines and has two books.
Her pieces are amazing in my eyes. The textures and feel is earthy, yet lovely and quite feminine.

This week I am going to continue sharing pictures from the event as well as featuring a few of my talented gal pals...so come back ya hear !!

Girls Out On The Town..... ZNE ConvenZioNE Part 5

Here are just a few fun pictures of some of the nights spent with the girls. The second night in Pleasanton we had dinner at The Blue Agave.
Pictured above from left to right: Ann-Denise Anderson AKA Crepe Paper Queen, Me, My neighbor in Southern CA the talented Julie Bergman, Chel The Queen & founder of ZNE, and the enchanting Lisa Kettel ( My Sista from another Mother)

The Blue Agave restaurant is an old Craftsman. Here we are at the instructor dinner.
From left all the way back:

Brandie Butcher-Isley, Chelise Stroud- Hery, Iva Wilcox, Gina Gabriell, Ruth Rae.

From right all the way back:
Me, Anna Corba, Ann-Denise Anderson and Lisa Kettel.

Girls just wanna have fun !!
Here is Lisa Kettel. Ann-Denise Anderson and I shopping at American Harvest.
Below is Lisa's Mama, Joan.
( My adoptive Mama for the weekend.)
C'mon, we even look alike LOL !!!
What a hoot we all had.

Lisa and her Mama Joan. I fell instantly in love with these ladies.
And I already miss them so !!!
There is more to come...... Stay tuned !!!

ZNE ConveZioNE Class At Tangerine Part 4

The day was so fun...we worked on our dolls despite the urging feeling of wanting to look and shop. Gina was a great teacher. We all headed out to a Chinese lunch that afternoon, then finished the music boxes for the dollies to stand on.

I made mine, especially for my little girl.
I made it look like her, down to the freckles on her face.
The pieces turned out gorgeous !!!
Everyone did such wonderful work. I am just so tickled to have spent
such an awesome day with such an awesome group of talent.

Here they all are together !!!! The sweet blond was made by
the talented "Shrine Maker"and so much more...
Julee Herrmann of HeArt Collective.
Then mine. Next to me in
the pink and black was made by my dear pal
Ruth Rae
A talented Author, Artist & Instructor of jewelry & fiber fun.
Behind her is a kitty kat in pink made by the Cat loveing Artist
Teri Calia of Catnip Designs.
The last girly in turquoise and green was made by another talent, Nadine.
What a day to remember...
I am so blessed.

ZNE Tangerine Style...Part 3

Friday morning all the girls moved on to their next class, some went off to teach as others went to take classes. I signed up for Gina Gabriell's "Turn, Turn, Turn" class. Which was held at her delightful store front
Tangerine
located in Dublin, CA.

How in the world are we supposed to WORK in this cute shop. I and others were all ready to shop !! The shop was so bright and cheery, filled with eye candy & fun, it was hard to concentrate.

Every little nook and cranny was filled with joy & muse.
The colors were vibrant and happy, you could almost eat everything.

There were fun dollies and crafty goodness, supplies, paper, glitter...you name it,
it was there...even the bathroom sink,
I am not kidding you.

Not only was the shop adorable but Gina was great. What a strong lady she is. With the recent loss of her beloved "Bella" Stevie, who passed on from cancer in 2007, Gina wrote and illustrated a wonderful book about a little girl & her battle with cancer. The story is so touching...I cried my eyes out. I read it to my daughter when I got home from the trip, we balled. If you know someone or you have a child who is battling cancer, this book my friend is for you.

Everyone is born and everyone dies.

It is a great Mystery and a promise.

It is a story that is hard to remember

and a story that has no endings,

only beginnings."

Pink Sky

-Gina Gabriell

Let The Class Begin !!! Part 2 ZNE ConveZioNE

Welcome !!
I set the table with cupcake plates and party napkins as each student received their own Eat Cake kit in red gift bags. They also had their choice of papers, trims and embellishments. We set to work making the dolly first since we had to use paper clay & needed time enough to dry.

As the lil girls dried outside basking in the sun. We got started on the cake boxes. Lots of decisions were being made as to color choice and trims. The gals were having a good time talking and creating the cakes.

After 3 hours of hard work. We broke for lunch , which was catered in by Innovations. Yum !!! We got our fill, then proceeded on the rest of the project.

They painted their
( Now dry)
dolly's,
added all the trims to their frocks, finished them off with a party hat.

In return there were happy women, smiling from ear to ear at how their sweet cake & dolly candy containers turned out. They were all sooo awesome.
It just made me so proud of them !

Two delightful sisters, Diane & Kathleen from
Papertons
joined us and made the sweetest cakes in similar colors,
yet they were specially different !

Shari from
Staffordshire Garden Designs
made her darling cake for her daughter.
Oh so sweet,
you could almost eat it !

Lana
( Jeff ,from The Wiggles cousin)
joined in the fun making her cake & dolly quit different from the rest.
She was sporting a brilliant purple in Paris feel.

We all stood back, gave pats on the back for a job more than well done. 6 hours had passed,
the " Eat Cake"
dolly's were finished and it was time for us to part our ways until
The Papier & Pleasentries Show
held May 2-3.

Oh ladies , you did awesome work.
I hope you will always treasure the piece you made !!

More ZNE ConvenZioNE stories and photos coming next !!!

Arriving At ZNE ConveZioNE....Part 1

The day finally came to fly out to Pleasanton CA. For the ZNE ConvenZioNE. I had to take two flights from San Diego into Phoenix,from Phoenix to Oakland. Crazy day that was. I was in awe of the patchwork quilt below and how crazy high up I was . I am actually scared of heights and flying. So, I white knuckled the flight the whole way in. Once I landed in Oakland, I was instructed to meet my fellow friends, Julie Bergman, Ruth Rae and Ann Denise Anderson, from there we were picked up by a Town car. With four women and ummmmmm, like 10 bags ( big bags) he packed the trunk , which had tires in there too ! I was hoping the suitcases wouldn't fly out of there.

We were then dropped off at The Marriott Hotel, checked in and there met up with Lisa Kettell, her Mama Joan Kettell and my roomie Brandie Butcher-Isley.

We buncked up in a really sweet room with feathered beds. It was quite comfy for not being in your own bed. I usually never sleep well in a strange bed.

We settled in, shortly there after we took a shuttle to downtown Pleasanton where we met up with the other instructors and ConveZioNE attendees.

The opening reception was held at Studio 7 Art Gallery. We were delighted by the fascinating art work around the gallery as well as all our arty friends whom attended.

Traveling troubadour John Troast
played his Folksy tunes as we ate delicious truffle chocolates that were absolutely humongous.

This year's instructors. From left to right, top row:

Ulla Milbrath, Ruth Rae, Ann Denise Anderson, Mica Garbarino ( Me) , Brandie Butcher Isley, Iva Wilcox.

Bottom row: Chel, Lisa Kettell and Gina Gabriell. (Missing, Anna Corba - who was off meeting our attendees and guests.) Photo credit - Deborah Wandro.

After the reception we went out on the town and shopped around the quaint little town. First stop, American Harvest.

A few of us went to eat, walked a bit more, then went back to the hotel for a yummy night cap of cocoa, well, at least that is what I had. I will post my first day of teaching at the event next, so come back as the ZNE event will be posted in a few more posts !!