File under M for Miscellaneous

I had a blast at Anahata Katkin's two-class retreat in Cardiff (near San Diego, CA). I learned so much and really pushed myself creatively. I feel like I walked away with some great ideas and new techniques. Raul went with me, so I didn't have to drive the 18 hours (round trip!) alone. He was stuck at the hotel with no internet connection the first day--poor guy! But that night, we went out for dinner at a lovely Thai restauraunt in Encinitas and strolled around the artsy and touristy shops before heading back to the hotel.


The next day, we ran into another dilemma--check out was at noon, so where was the poor guy to go all day? We got up early, took an early AM stroll on the beach and had breakfast at a cute little diner in Encinitas. Then he hung around the town all day while I attended the second workshop with Anahata (Funky Wall Paper People!). Between the book store and the coffee shop (with wireless connection!), he was all set. I left class a little early on Sunday so we could get back home at a relatively reasonable time. So it all worked out! I met some amazing women at the retreat and saw some wonderful art. It was fun walking around to get ideas from others and to just admire the work of my fellow artists!

Maya and I have been walking around the neighborhood in the evenings. It is the best time to go for a little stroll. Great light for photos, and every one else is out and about walking their dogs or watering their yards.


It's mid-fall now, but some days it still feels like SUMMER. (And some folks STILL think global warming is just something liberals made up for just for the heck of it?) It is cooler at night which is a great reason to break out the flannel sheets and warm blankets, so at least in some way it kinda, sorta feels like fall. But I'm still wearing flip flops during the day...crunching on fall leaves in flip flops--it's weird. ;)


I'm getting excited for Halloween now that it is, indeed, October (and not mid-summer! See previous post!). I made these cards for a tag swap with my Bay Area Art Sisters--a group of ladies from the Bay Area who met at Artfest and decided to continue getting together once a month to make art.


I'll be missing our next meet-up which will be at the Book Arts Jam at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, Ca--I'm so sad I'll miss it! But I look forward to our November meet-up. These gals are an inspiration and a lot of fun. It's nice to know there are artsy women that are in the area that I can meet with in real life. I love the internet for it's instant interconnectivity and convenience, but NOTHING beats meeting with folks face to face and that essential human interaction we all need.

I'm ready for crunchy leaves, rainy days, the smell of decay, pumpkin carving, and cold, smoky, moonlit nights. I'll even start wearing regular shoes if Fall finally decides to show up!