SISTERS, SISTERS...NEVER WERE THERE SUCH DEVOTED SISTERS...

Greetings, dear reader!

Just a quick post to say, "I MISS MY SISTERS!"

We ALWAYS have such fun together..."high hilarity" we always call it. Laugh til we're sick...

  

Besides being ALWAYS up for an adventure...

 

They are both incredibly talented people...my youngest sister, Pam, writes (among other things) for a monthly women's ezine...

I give you Exhibit A: (You can subscribe here also...you'll be glad you did!)

http://women.ag.org/laugh_lines/display/?targetBay=4994a57a-62cd-44bf-aac0-91f0c1a08241&ModID=2&Process=DisplayArticle&RSS_RSSContentID=12719&RSS_OriginatingChannelID=1249&RSS_OriginatingRSSFeedID=3838&RSS_Source=

My other sister, Peggy (who is 14 months younger than I) is amazingly gifted in her own right. Peg is one of the most caring people I know...she works at a Residential Care facility with elderly people...and they ALL love her. She has a quick wit and a heart that genuinely cares...a great combination for a "dietary technician".

She can also sew,(teeny, tiny hand stitches...who IS this woman?!) paint, craft...but her greatest ability (in my opinion) is that she is a  wonderfully thoughtful gift giver. She can (and does) "nail it" every year, Christmas or birthdays, or the most fun of all, the "for-no-reason" gift. My dear friend Gnomey came to me on such an occasion...

The bond we share as sisters is so incredible...besides being the longest releationships in ones life (other than that of parents) siblings have a shared history. When we get together, we sit around and regale one another with stories...as though none of us were there to know the scoop! The fun and hilarity comes in when we each share the specifics of said adventures...were we even on the same TRIP!?!?!

This year, my youngest sister will spend the holidays in Egypt, and my middle sister will spend them in Huntington, Indiana. My time will be spent in Springfield, MO with my two boys...but I KNOW it will be  a MUCH QUIETER Christmas than usual! I will miss you, sissies! Perhaps we could Skype long enough to be part of a "fireside chat"?

More soon!
Hugs and pillows of marshmallows,
Paula Clare

ALTARED ART RETREAT REPORT!

Greetings, dear friends!

Here is my "report" on the recent "regain your sanity" getaway weekend. The remote retreat center was perfect for a feeling of "getting away from it all." The fire and the fellowship with other like-minded artists was wonderful...new friendships were made and old friendships strengthened...in short, FUN WAS HAD BY ALL!

The slideshow includes photos of the facility, friends, and some of the projects we completed. One special treat was getting to meet my friend from blogdom, Cat. I knew when discovering her "Cupcakes and Coffee" blog we were kindred spirits...I was even more certain after meeting her! The altered book images as well as a layout or two in the slideshow were created by her amazing artful hands.

My friend Debbie was also on hand, (I've added her new blog to my list of "Muses": Creations by Debbie Jean) and she was, (as always) a great support and my number one fan.

This was the first exposure to altered art for many of the ladies present...I believe several were very intrigued and even a little excited about discovering this "new to them" artform!

Tomorrow I will be posting the instructions and photo "how to" for one of the projects from the retreat...an art quilt!

I am planning another retreat weekend in the summer...I'll keep you posted!

More soon!



Paula
xoxoxo