If you were interested in doing my Paper Doll tutorial from Artist Class but didn't have time to sign up for all 12 classes, Mary is now offering individual classes for sale. You can purchase one, two, or more tutorials HERE.
Years ago, I used to have a sign by my front door that read,
"Creative Minds are Seldom Tidy"
Maybe I should dig that out and hang it back up... Lately, I've been going from one complete mess to another.
One end of my studio is still torn up from moving furniture around, and redoing the Treat Cabinet for Thanksgiving. The Silver Bella goodies have not all be unpacked and I am still trying to get ready for Miss Frenchie's.
I have wallpaper to iron, cut, and sell, (people are waiting for me and asking about my pretty new (old) papers!!), I seem to be knee deep in bottle brush trees, and I am leaving to go out of town again!
I do seem to travel a LOT. Almost as much as my friend, Jessi, she amazes me with all of her trips. Thing is, even though each trip I took this year was wonderful and I wouldn't give any of them up, I am such a homebody,that I hate to leave.
Once I get where I am going, I'm fine. Its the leaving that hurts.
(this is my journal project from Rebecca Sower's class at Silver Bella)
Here is where I've been this year:
4 trips to DC (including one for Beth's birthday to meet up with blogfriends)
1 trip to Florida with my sisses and to go to Aunt Caroline's funeral the day after her 101st birthday
1 trip to Florida to play with Sugarwings on the beach and go to Aunt Caroline's home one last time
Macon to Jenn Hayslip's home for En Le Jardin ( She is the ultitmate in Southern hospitality!!! There are spots still available for her next event, too.)
Indiana for my sister's 60th birthday party
Chicago to see Lucinda Williams and eat at Art Smith's restaurant
2 trips to Omaha to take Sugarwings to the fantastic zoo there and to hang out at the Holiday Inn's indoor water park
Sioux City to see Grandma Joan
Outer Banks for a mini getaway on the beach
Charlotte for a nephew's wedding
Omaha for Silver Bella
Geesh, I'm tired just writing these!!
(this is my project from Anna Corba's class)
And now, another trip out to Virginia, just for the weekend. No, I am NOT independently wealthy! My husband travels all the time, and racks up lots of points. He flew on Southwest so much this year that I received a Buddy Pass and could fly free any place that he was going.
When I travel with him, its usually business and he already has a room booked, so I just have to pay for own meals. And often breakfast is free at many hotels, if not, I keep granola bars in my suitcase.
Other times, we use Holiday Inn Priority Club points for buy a night get a night free, or other deals, and I have shared rooms with my sisses or friends to save on costs.
(here is my project from Denise Sharp's class)
Another trick for cheap travel is my Southwest Airlines Visa card. I get free flights from using it for everything I buy. I mean everything. Any where that takes a credit card, I pay with Visa. We get about 6 free flights a year that way, on top of all the other free flights.
If you do that, just make sure that you pay your bill in total at the end of every month, or your interest rates will beat out the savings you'd get in free tickets.
This bird is one of the hardest things I 've ever had to make at Silver Bella. I'm not much of a pattern follower, and this came with a gazillion steps to follow, and dozens of little tiny pieces to cut out.
Even though it was HARD to do, I'm glad I made myself do it, and got it done. I'm thrilled with the outcome. (and got a very nice compliment from Anna Corba on it!!)
I've named her Rosamund and she lives in my china cabinet now. Safe behind glass from tiny little Sugarwing fingers.
As I've looked around my house, I see a lot of neglect, since I've traveled so much this last year. Normally, I spend time on lots of little redos, or big redos, too. This year, its all been ignored, including touch ups that need attending.
My plan, after this last trip of the year, is to dedicate some time to pulling my home back together. I miss puttering and fixing and repainting. So hope to get some decor repairs done, and deck the halls big time for the Holidays.
I'm ready to settle into my nest for the winter and be cozy!

You still have plenty of time to enter the November Giveaway by leaving a comment. I'm sorry if I'm not responding to all comments that have been left, life has been a bit hectic lately, but I do read and enjoy each and every single one.
When I am not on the go, and Sugarwings is not here, I'm often alone for days on end, since my husband travels. Your comments are great company for me, and I treasure getting them. Thanks for being my buddies!
(this was pre-posted before I left)