So before staples, narcotics and hospital visits (boy that seems so long ago) Mom and I took a most amazing journey to Los Angeles to be a part of Kim Caldwell’s Artisitc Affaire.  The best way to describe it is a decadent, day-long art retreat.  We headed out the Friday before my surgery in an awesome rental car that Chucklebutt got for us.

We were up early on Saturday morning and at the venue by 8:30am.  What an amazing time!

Oh yeah, those hydrangeas are real!

The attention to detail was amazing.  Everywhere you looked was pink eye candy — right down to the pink M&M’s.

Even the clear plastic cups were pink!

All the crafting took place in the upstairs of a warehouse style loft.

I love this pic of Mom.  I’m sorry it’s so dark — there were windows everywhere and it was hard to get my camera to cooperate.

Our first project was from the amazing Amy Powers — a a Home Sweet Home wreath.  Mom and I just finished them today.  Chucklebutt will take some artsy photos of it tomorrow and I’ll be sure to post it.  Check out my mad sewing skillz!

Me and Amy.  OMG she is so darn cute!  I love her apron and pants.

After our first class, we had lunch and then began working on our mosaic boxes from Michelle — the Mosaic Queen.  It was so fun smashing all that china.

Here’s Mom working with the tile nippers.

After the mosaic class, we had a tea.  It was delicious and the presentation was precious!

I love cupcakes and these were perfect!

This arrangement was real as well.  It was absolutely gorgeous.

We were crafting until 9pm at night!  Talk about an amazing experience!  We grazed on delicious food and got artsy all day long!

These were the ladies who sat at our table — Marilyn, Elizabeth and Nancy.  They were lots of fun.

During one of our many snack breaks, we exchanged bird houses from the Home Tweet Home Swap.  The amazing Christine– of Dollybelle fame– was my partner and she really outdid herself with my birdhouse!  Christine was also a vendor and Mom and I bought quite a bit from her.

Here’s Mom standing in front of Christine’s both.  She had the most amazing jewelry.

Here is a pic of all the birdhouses — actually I didn’t get all of them in the shot, but you get the idea.

I swiped this photo from Kim’s blog since I didn’t take a picture of the birdhouse I made.

Well my energy is fading so I better go take a breather.  I hear Mom’s brownies calling me.