Tuesday, May 26, 2015

PORTRAIT CLASS W/ KATE THOMPSON: Lesson #1


If you haven't taken a class with Kate, you need to.  Her techniques are so amazing and so transferrable to any art medium.  She is currently doing a once a month class at Donna Downey Studios...and I am loving it....

per my cup "Lovin.  Drink It Up!"


So this was my first result from her lesson.
And since I left for the class before Tony had gone home, I got to return to this loving note. 
 I just love this man!!


Sunday, May 17, 2015

WHAT A DAY: Weekend in Asheville May 15-17, 2015

Hello Asheville!!
It was great staying at the Clarion in nearby Fletcher for 2 reasons...huge discounted rates on room and delicious food at bar/grill attached.
(deconstructed shrimp n' grits)
Once Tony arrived, we ate dinner in the room...then headed to the movies.  The scene when we arrived looked like a teen concert as "Pitch Perfect 2" opened that night as well.
The movie got over late, so we headed back and got ready for an early and long day tomorrow at the Biltmore.  It was my first time...and I couldn't wait!!!
the line to enter into the estate...





After touring the 2nd & 3rd floor and basement, we grabbed a nice lunch at The Stables Restaurant.  It literally was an old horse stable converted.  So neat to see all the old furnishings.


and the salad was yummy.

There were only a few points where you could take photos inside and one being the gorgeous bouquet they had on the front entrance.  The other being balcony off the first floor.  Such a view.



Next we toured the gardens off to the left of the mansion.  Someone was preparing for a wedding; hence we didn't see the fountain area.







And then finally before the downpour of rain, we enjoyed some wine at the winery section.
Dinner was at the nearby Carrabba's restaurant, and then back to the room for a quick swim before bed.


The next morning, we checked out and then grabbed burgers at the bar.  Played some darts and planned the day.  Tony had to get back home, but I went to a local outlet mall before heading home.
Great weekend away!

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

DIY: Mother's Day Cards

I always spend way to much time looking for that one special card for my mom.  However, this year, since I am on a Danielle-Donaldson-creativeGIRLclass-obsession, I drew some characters as card fronts.
(one is going to my mother, and the other to my One Little Word pen pal who is a mom)



I turned both into cards by sewing the art onto patterned paper, then sketching and painting a quote inside for each.  Hope they enjoyed them!