What a whirlwind two weeks it has been! I had my 36th Birthday, and per usual, Chucklebutt spoiled me rotten. Check out that cake!

Despite the debacle Chuck encountered picking it up (think 15 year old kids running the bakery trying to cram my cake into a donut box) it was deeee-licious.  I ate the final piece yesterday.

Make a wish Jiggle Puff!

Chuck had to work all weekend, so I took that opportunity to celebrate my special day with the gals at Mystic Paper.  They were celebrating their 5 year anniversary, complete with yummy cupcakes, awesome classes and a super cool market.  Incidentally, I discovered Mystic Paper the week before they moved into their current location.  It was a small area in back of an antique store (specifically, the Peddler’s Wife).  I must say, my crafting experience has never been the same since.  Thank you Kim and Jennifer for being such inspiring women!

The first class I took was with the amazing Lilia Meridith.  We made a precious fabric book and I got to demonstrate my mad sewing skills.  Actually, Chucklebutt was the one who had to thread my machine and give me a crash course in domestic affairs.  He gave me my sewing machine two years ago, and I do believe he has used it more than I.  😀

Go Ellen with your bad self!

Here I am with the cute Lilia.  She was the sweetest gal and we had a ball in her class.  Shhhhh, don’t tell her that I haven’t finished mine yet.

The next class was with Jenny Hernandez.  We learned to work with Paper Clay which is the coolest stuff!  This is me and my friend Lori — I love Lori and she has become my craftin’ bud.  Look how intent we are on painting our figurines.

This is Jenny on the left.  She was so gracious and giving of her ideas, images and techniques.  I purchased two of her figurines and have put them in my china cabinet.  I hope that Mystic Paper has her back around the holidays so we can do some Snowmen or Santas — hint! hint!

I was at the store from 10am until 7pm.  I was pooped!  Thanks gals for an awesome day.

The following weekend I headed to Los Angeles for Artistic Affaire L’Automne.  Mystic Paper was like the warm up for this marathon.

Originally, I did not think I would be able to make it to this event.  I wasn’t sure if I would be in Asheville with Mom (she has decided against the ablation procedure for the time being) so I did not sign up.  By the time I got my act together, all the spots were filled.  Boy was I feeling bummed. Chuck suggested I ask Kim if there was room for one more and I pouted about it for an hour and then dropped her an email.  She is so awesome and told me to “Come on Down!”  Chucklebutt was a peach and gave me the weekend for my birthday.  Did I mention that he spoils me?  The only bummer was I had to go it alone — Chuck had to work again.  🙁  He rented me a zippy little Kia and off I went — later than expected of course. (Quick side note:  My little Geo shakes if you go over 55 mph — the suspension is shot. Each day I say a little prayer and hope that a wheel doesn’t fly off.  Needless to say,  it was so nice cruising that lonely highway at 80.)

So why was I running late?  I had to finish up projects for the swaps I was participating in.

The first swap was a paper doll swap hosted by the very talented Danielle Muller.  We had to create 5 paper dolls in the style of vintage French.  This was such a fun process and I really enjoyed working with my gals.

Mike Putnam introduced me to this great website for vintage images — Vintage Lovlies.  This particular lady is the famed opera singer Lina Cavalieri.  Be warned, however, this website also has some racy vintage images as well  — vintage pornography anyone?

Can you can-can?  While I wanted to have them all completed by the time I left for L.A., I didn’t finish them until the wee morning hours on Saturday.  Come to find out, most women at the event got about 4 hours of sleep that night so I was in good company.

The other swap I participated in was the Masquarade Ball Mask Swap hosted by the cute-as-a-button Bryanna.  We were to create a mask in autumn colors.  I was very pleased with mine — so much so, I’m thinking I may make another to hang on our bedroom wall.

I am really digging the natural elements.  I love using moss and twigs in my artwork.

She reminds me of my woodland spirit painting.  Before parting with it, I asked Chuck to take a picture of me wearing it.

I painted the front and back of the mask with alcohol inks — they adhere to any type of plastic.  I found out quickly, that you can’t sweat while wearing this.

It looks like I have three days worth of stubble.  tee hee!  I warned Tamerie – the sweet gal who received the mask — about the treacheries of wearing it.  Sure enough, she developed green nose after a group photo shoot.

To be continued…