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celebrations, fairies
Today is our 33rd wedding anniversary!
Part two of my business trip to Florida and a Cocoa Beach Sea Shell Fairy
fairies, sea shell fairies, Travel 
I know, not my best fairy so far, but I had every bit as much fun making it as any of the others!
(Although I am a little sad about the dark, heavy wing that the poor thing has. I don't know how high a guy can fly with a wing like that)
My trip to Cocoa Beach was more of a pit stop than a visit. After leaving our luggage in Ft Lauderdale and having to drive from Orlando to fetch it, and right back again, I thought I needed to treat myself to a view of the ocean, no matter how quick the stop was.
These are shells that I gathered up in a few minutes while taking a break from the drive. It was only a slight detour, and worth the added time in the car. Anytime I can wriggle my toes in the salt water, I'm pretty dang happy.
I parked at Beach Place resort, to check it out. My sisters and I are going to stay there in October and I wanted to see it in person to make sure it was where we wanted to be.
Great choice!! It is lovely. The manager was kind enough to let me hang out for a while and walk around to explore, then traipse along their beach. I wasn't there long, we had dinner reservations in Orlando and now that I had the lost luggage, I was determined to put on some clean clothes and some makeup before going out.
We were dining at the Citrus Club, downtown Orlando and there was no way I was going to be late for a fancy night on the town!
The next morning, my husband had to be in Tampa, so we headed out nice and early. I was trying to plan what to do with my day while he worked, when it occurred to me that Weeki Wachee Springs was not that far away from where he would be.
And I'd been in the car so much already that I was in road trip mode anyway, what's another two hours?
So, I dropped him off and drove myself up north and went to watch the sirens of the seas.
When I was about six years old, we visited here and I've tried to get back to see it again since then, but it has never worked out.
I had time to watch one performance, and it just so happened to be "The Little Mermaid" which is a favorite story of mine, and of Sugarwings. I really missed her that day. I was having a great time being a tourist on my own, but she sure would have been a wonderful traveling companion that day.
This is a state park, it is $13 to get in, and once you are in, the boat rides, water park, and show are free. The water park is spring fed, crystal clear water and I was wishing I had time to dive in and play mermaid myself.
Before the performance started, they showed old movies of early shows from the 40s and 50s. The place has not changed much at all. The mermaids might dress a little different, but it is basically what I remember. Not that I was there in the 40s or 50s! My trip was probably about 1964.
I have to admit, I got a little teary watching it. Thinking about going there with my mom and dad, and how magical I thought it was as a child. I didn't realize just how much this show had influenced my life, until being there brought it all back. I'm a big believer in magic and mermaids, because as kiddo, I was shown that they are REAL. I spent a life time pretending to be a mermaid under water, every time I'd go for a swim, I'd try a few fancy moves.
And that hasn't changed. I still love swimming like a mermaid in swimming pools with my grand kids.
A stroll along the Ft Lauderdale Riverwalk and a River Bank Fairy
sea shell fairies, Travel 
Recently, my husband had some business to do in Florida and I invited myself to tag along. In my mind, I would be knee deep in waves and walking along the beach the whole visit. But, that isn't quite how a work trip goes. I needed to fit my schedule to his and he was downtown most of the time. I had the morning to myself while he slaved away, and since I've never been much for cities, and I decided to hop over to the ocean for a short visit.
But as I talked to the hotel valet, I noticed a sign that said Riverwalk and was intrigued.
So I thought I'd treat myself to a bit of culture instead of my typical beach bum style tourism, and I explored the area. Surprisingly, it was shady and there was a nice breeze. Not at all what I expected from downtown in a large, Floridian city.
And even though I was dressed for a walk on the sand, I was glad that I'd changed my mind at the last minute.
It was a pleasant change of pace for me, and I was feeling quite urban as I appreciated the views.
I fit nicely into upscale settings.
But I was starting to feel a missed opportunity to make a beach sprite.
Then, I saw a twisted bit of bark that reminded me of a fairy jumping for joy on the sidewalk, and right next to it, a bundle of pink blossoms. I thought those flowers would make a fine, little dress, and sat my 60 year old butt right down in the middle of that schmancy, urban walkway and made myself happy by turing that bit of bark into a fey creature.
All she needed was some leaves as wings and a head, which were pretty quick to find. My only problem was wind, this girl wanted to float off on the breeze, a problem that I've never had with shells.
I love making little sprites out of nature and when I do, I feel like I am showing appreciation for the beauty around me. It has almost become a compulsion to make these, I don't feel like I am on vacation without leaving one as a thank you.
Afterwards, did more city strolling and stopped at some shops. The area was more high dollar than I am used to, but these sandals were 90% off and just waiting for me to slip them on. Aren't they gorgeously gaudy? Yum.
Our hotel was on the Riverwalk, and was such a pretty place to stay. It was an old, Spanish style place and we had a big corner suite with a balcony overlooking the shopping district. I could get used to such nice accommodations, even without the beach view that I usually go for on trips!
We made it to the beach for a fresh seafood lunch before driving to the next stop on his schedule, Orlando. I hated to leave Ft. Lauderdale so soon, but was glad to have some time to explore some things I might not have gone looking for normally.
Little did I know that I would be right back in Ft Lauderdale again the very next day!
I'm afraid that when the valet at the hotel loaded our car, we missed a bag.
After a whirlwind trip to Macy's to find my husband more work clothes for the next day, we went out for dinner with some of his business colleagues even though I was still dressed for my interrupted trip to the beach that morning. No makeup, shorts, and hat hair.
And in the morning, I drove back south, gathered up the bag, and then headed north again, taking the scenic route back (7 hours of car time). It was a long, but interesting day. Not the day I thought I'd have, but a good one never the less.
Summer Fun
Dew Drop, family, Sugarwings 
The Grand Fairies and I had a little hitch in our summer plans, with my inner ear issues. We had to cut back a smidge.
Finally, I was able to get out of the house (and felt like I'd crawled out of a dark pit, after so long of feeling bad). They'd kept me company while I was down, we watched some baking competition shows and had our own contests with playdoh creations, and some ice cream concoctions. We had fun, but desperately needed a day out, I'd been in front of the TV for far too long.
So, when I finally felt up to driving, we headed to the zoo. And spent about 8 hours there.
It is a small zoo, too.
And we didn't even see all of it. But what we did do, we did thoroughly! We spent lots of time on the things we enjoyed, lingered over lunch while watching a baby giraffe, and they spent some time in the kids' zone, while I relaxed on a shady park bench with a good book.
The water flume where treasure hunters could mine for gemstones in bags of sand and gravel was a big hit. We also discovered that not all of the other kids were as dedicated to nabbing every last stone, and dropped quite a few in the mulch or in the bottom of the rushing water. Over the course of the afternoon, Sugarwings found as many crystals in the mulch as she did in the bag of dirt we purchased.
Yep, she was pretty into it.
We met some new friends too.
It was just the day out that I needed.
An Under the Sea paint pour doodle
paintings 
This painting wasn't very interesting until I looked closer and saw lots of creatures just waiting to be outlined with markers.
This is how it started out.
This is the first image I noticed. It is outlined with pink here so you can find it. See the fish????
And here it is after I drew on it, along with its mermaid friend.
It didn't take long to find another mermaid waiting for me too.
And these two? Yep, just waiting for me.
I Heart Succulents
Uncategorized 
This is my first year to attempt succulents. I don't know much about them, but so far they have done well. There is a chance that some of the plants aren't as winter hardy, as I had hoped they were. But I'll see what happens next spring.
The planter is an old water heater tank, I think. It came with the farmhouse when we bought it.
The tank is shallow and dries out fast. Over the years, I've tried growing different plants in it, but all have required daily watering. This season's choice has been much easier to take care of. It hasn't taken any care at all, actually.
I've added some fairy garden elements, and some tumbled glass as mulch.
There are lots of odds and ends tucked in among the plants. Here is some more glass, these are hand blown orbs that a friend made.
There are a few more fairies, some stone eggs, cool rocks, and sea shells too.
Since rosemary doesn't need much water, I included some of that, because, can you ever have enough rosemary??? We can't. I've been hooked on that for the last few years and add it to a lot of dishes.
My favorite part is the heart blooms on this little guy. Oh my! I didn't expect that!
Van Go
celebrations, family, Sacred Circus 
Our town is lucky to have an organization like Van Go. Here is a snippet from their website that will explain them better than I can:
IT'S ALL ABOUT THE KIDS.
Our Mission
Our Mission: To improve the lives of high-needs youth using art as the vehicle for self-expression, self-confidence, and hope for the future.
Van Go is an arts-based, social service agency that employs at-risk youth ages 14-24, to make public works of art that are sold in the community. It’s holistic, year-round programming uses the ARTS to deliver in-depth mental health support, job training, health nutrition education, and life skills lessons. Van Go’s nationally recognized programming gives troubled teens a job, real world skills and opportunity to succeed.
Our KiKi is a talented artist and she was one of the kids hired for the summer to paint a bench. The unveiling was last week, and it was a moving ceremony with heart felt speeches that showed just how much a program like this can mean for people.
There were 20 benches debuted that day, to the sound of drum rolls and lots of oohs and ahhs.
Her client/sponsor was the Lawrence Buskerfest, which was right up her alley, since she is a participant in that event too. She did a beautiful job encorporating portraits of some of the performers with Kansas sunflowers and the skyline of downtown Lawrence. I thought it was well planned and had a dynamic design.
I'm very proud of this little grandfairy!
Once Upon An Easter and some free images for you
free images, vintage paper/collage art, Workshops 
Jenn Hayslip will be working her magic again, at another glittery art event! And I am honored to be a part of it. When she announced the party, I was ready to sign up and attend, because her gatherings are so dreamy and beautiful.
I didn't even know who might be leading the projects or what they would be. I just knew that it had been too long since I'd attended one of her confections of perfection.
Then, when she contacted me and asked me if I wanted to be a teacher, I was thrilled and surprised! And excited to come up with a frothy, pastel, bit of prettiness to fit in with her aesthetic.
Lately, I've been doing a lot of the acrylic flow painting, and doodley stuff, so I was missing my days of working on delicate, sweet goodies. I tend to jump from idea to idea, and style to style, medium to medium, but I will always adore playing with vintage wallpaper and millinery blossoms in soft, dainty tones.
So, yep, I was in, and excited to delve into my stashes of vintage goodness.
At first, I scanned all of these images from Victorian Easter postcards to use. Then, decided I had something else in mind after all.
If you'd like them, please do save them from your screen and print. (I prefer printing onto matt photo paper, myself.)
For my own project, I've found some other images that I wanted to add. I scanned some old photos of little girls, bunnies, and baskets. Each kit will come with a collage sheet to chose the pictures the artist wants to use for their creation.
You know me, I like to offer extras and choices! And of course, we will be using the Good Stuff.
The only bad thing about this upcoming event is that it is soooo far away! I have to wait until next spring for it. I'm ready for some girlie fun RIGHT NOW.
Oh well, anticipation is part of the excitement right?
I hope I will see you there!
Once Upon An Easter
We're having a party, Workshops 
Jenn Hayslip is having another of her wonderful events! And guess what? I've been invited to teach a class!
And not only does it involve so many of my favorite things, like vintage, eye candy, sweetness… a gathering of creative friends… and a getaway filled with art…
ITS AT THE BEACH!!!
I don't know if I've mentioned it…... but I'm slightly obsessed with beaches.
Which is why I've been painting them so much this year. Jenn is hostessing this party on Jekyll Island, a place I've always wanted to go. I hear it is just gorgeous there. Of course, when Jennifer plans something, every tiny detail is pure gorgeousness even without the back drop of something like this.
I hope I'll see you there? I can promise you that it will be quite special. Everything she does is. My talented buddies, Andrea Singarella and Karen Hillman are also teaching. This will be a confection of pastel prettiness!
What did I find in the paint?
drawing, paintings 
In my last post, I asked if anyone saw anything in this paint pour. I didn't at that point.
But then, I flipped it over. Do you see her?
There was another fairy lurking in the paint! All I needed was some black and white ink pens to find her.
She has quite the head of hair, doesn't she?