Fly

 I'm not sure I can say anything more than this...

 

diane

xo



The Treasure Hunt

Hey Guys...there's an

Artful Gathering Treasure Hunt

going on!

This year we are having a treasure hunt at Artful Gathering, 

and it is really simple to play along. 

This is the second week of the clues, 

which if you look just below, 

you will find the full description on how to find them.

Here's how you do it...

simply find the secret Big Red Square somewhere on my blog 

to get your second secret word! 

The word you're looking for is up at the top of the box, 

in quotation marks!

LOOK for a red block, on my side bar, it has a crown in it!

(If you missed last week's clue, just hop on over to my friend 

Riki Schumacher's blog for the answer!)

You can find out all you want to know

here!

Be sure to go to:  

www.artfulgathering.com 

to read all about the rules and prizes.

There's some really great prizes that include:   

one full paid class of your choice, plus the corresponding class DVD.  

Along with some very cool runner-up prizes, 

that aren't so shabby either...

Jewelry, Vintage Goodies, Class Kits, Artists' Books 

and more!

My donation is a bit of vintage goodies, brass wing stampings, 

and a baby bundle of recycled sari silk.

 And, just in case you haven't seen what I'll be teaching this year,

you can see both class details 

in the Workshop Catalogue

here.

In Session One, I will be teaching a beautiful necklace 

called

Romantic Wrapped.

 It is for 6 weeks, beginning June 6-July 17th!

And,

in the Second Session, 

I will be teaching my cuff class called,

On a Wing.

It will also be for 6 weeks,

beginning July 16-August 26th!

If, you haven't pre-registered, you might want to go on over and do so now,

(which will also give you the ability to flip thru that wonderful class catalogue)!

as on May 1st the doors open for full registration.

That means you will be able to register for any of the instructor's classes,

offered in both Sessions One & Two.

Also, at that time, you will have access to our Etsy store links,

where most will be offering a limited number of class kits.

Here's wishing the best to you on your treasure hunting fun,

and

hope to see you in the classroom...very SOON!

Don't forget to pre-register here now:

Artful Gathering 2014

(P.S.....if you leave a comment here
and/or share on Facebook and/or Twitter
I am having an EXTRA little drawing for a prize
on
Tuesday evening at 9pm CST!)

My FACEBOOK

Heart Love

My Double Heart
(coming to Art Retreat in the Desert~February 2014)
(*edit....not coming to Art in the Desert in 2014!*) 

I admit, I am in a state of euphoria right now,

as we are fast approaching the end of Session I 

at

Artful Gathering, 2013.
It has been a great class, with many beautiful creations being born.
Makes a teacher proud, I tell you!
Drops of Crystal was the name of the class, 
which consisted of 3 of my favorite chandelier crystal creations.
In less than a week, the second session will begin.
This class really put me over the top,
as it is so in-depth, I just know it is my best one yet!
I put together a little trailer....just so you can see what I mean.

And, to top it off...
I am having a little giveaway in conjunction with the beginning of 
Window to My Heart!

 Share it on your social media site, whether it be Facebook or your blog,
or Twitter...
then let me know,
and I will put your name in the hat
to win one of my class kits.

 The winner will be chosen on
Monday, July 15th, at 3 pm CST.
I hope you can join me....

I would be ever so honored!

Hopping into Spring and Artful Gathering Hopping

Life has been hopping here at the Cook homestead...in more ways than one!
We just had our grandchildren over this past weekend, and needless to say, 
they had a blast at PawPaw & Nana's house.
They jumped and hopped and wrestled, 
and we laughed enough to fill up a hot air balloon!

Alton is 4, and loves driving his Jeep and riding his bike.  You would not believe how much Samantha, who is 14-1/2 months, loves to ride around in the backyard with her brother.  She is one little girl who loves to ride in a Jeep!
She fits right into our Jeep driving, Bronco bustin' & 
Land Rover driving group!

We've had unseasonal cool weather here, 
and we've been lovin' every minute of it!  
Usually by now we would be running the air conditioner full blast...
Yee haw, is all I can say!
***************
We are getting so close to opening up class registration for 
Artful Gathering 2013....
May 1st is just around the corner!
Now...on to the hop news...and...
David Everett!

Celebrating Artful Gathering 2013 Online Art Retreat

Open for Registration

Blog Hop your way for chance to win!

From June to August 2013, ArtfulGathering.com will be presenting TWO exciting semesters of premiere online video workshops offered by fabulous artists who are known nationally and internationally. We are all very excited to share our knowledge, skill, and creativity with you, and we hope that you will join us for this AMAZING annual online event.

Blog Hop with us for a chance to win a $200 gift certificate towards an Artful Gathering 2013 online video workshop(s).

(Gift certificate applicable to 2013 workshops only and does not apply towards kits or dvds).

Each week I will announce the next featured blog for you to visit, and there you will find a new secret word or words that you will need to collect along your way. Once you have collected all the words from each blog you visit, they will work out to say a very artsy phrase. Here are the rules:

1. For your chance to win, you must collect all the secret code words and submit them upon the final destination blog in May. A random drawing will be conducted from those participants who have submitted the complete collection of secret words.
   
   
   
    


2. Only one winner will be randomly drawn from the list of participants who have collected all the secret words.
   
    

Remember to collect all the secret words. These words will work out to say a very artful phrase, and you'll need all the pieces to be eligible for the final prize drawing!

Please HOP over and visit the Amazing

David H. Everett

http://chickenlipsfolkart.blogspot.com/

(Pick Up the Next Secret Word)

WoW! It's All Good

 I have been so very busy preparing for my online classes 

at 

Artful Gathering

and my in-person classes

at 

The Prairie...

but, 

it's been ALL good!

I do hope one day we get to meet...

in either one!

*****

If you've been hopping along with the Artful Gathering Blog Hop,

this week is my turn to be in the spotlight!

Hope you are enjoying this little trip down the yellow-brick road!

All in fun....

 

 Artful Gathering Event Registration is Open!

 

 I'm the Spotlight Artist for The Artful Gathering 2013 Blog Hop!

 Follow along with me for fun, creativity, and a chance to win a

 $200.00 Gift Certificate for The Artful Gathering Marketplace Opening Soon. The winner can apply the certificate toward any 2013 online art workshop(s).

 *kits and dvds not applicable.



 Register to the event here

 

 I'm presenting My Brand New On-Line Workshops at

 

at Artful Gathering 2013!

 Come Hop With US!

 Hop Rules:

 If you would like to hop with us and meet all the super awesome Artful Gathering 2013 Art Instructors, and have a chance to win a random drawing prize in our random drawing, then hop with us! Each week, I will announce the blog for you to visit, and off you go to meet them, and to pick up the newest secret word.

 

1. For your chance to win, you must collect all the secret code words and submit them upon the final destination blog in May. A random drawing will be conducted from those participants who have submitted the complete collection of secret words!


2. Only one winner will be randomly drawn. The winner will receive a $200 gift certificate for a 2013 Online Video Workshop(s). *Not applicable to workshop kits or dvds.*
   
    


3. This weeks word is .....painting
   
   
   
    Next week, I'll announce the next person to hop to. Good luck!!!

Time to Visit Pamela Huntington on the AG Blog Hop

It's time to meet the amazing 

Pamela Huntington!

I finally met her last August at Art Unraveled

in Phoenix!

You'll just love her, and the amazing Photoshop class she'll be teaching 

at AG during the first session!

Celebrating Artful Gathering 2013 Online Art Retreat

Open for Registration

Blog Hop your way for chance to win!

From June to August 2013, ArtfulGathering.com will be presenting TWO exciting semesters of premiere online video workshops offered by fabulous artists who are known nationally and internationally. We are all very excited to share our knowledge, skill, and creativity with you, and we hope that you will join us for this AMAZING annual online event.

Blog Hop with us for a chance to win a $200 gift certificate towards an Artful Gathering 2013 online video workshop(s).

(Gift certificate applicable to 2013 workshops only and does not apply towards kits or dvds).

Each week I will announce the next featured blog for you to visit, and there you will find a new secret word or words that you will need to collect along your way. Once you have collected all the words from each blog you visit, they will work out to say a very artsy phrase. Here are the rules:

1. For your chance to win, you must collect all the secret code words and submit them upon the final destination blog in May. A random drawing will be conducted from those participants who have submitted the complete collection of secret words.
   
   
   
    


2. Only one winner will be randomly drawn from the list of participants who have collected all the secret words.
   
    

Remember to collect all the secret words. These words will work out to say a very artful phrase, and you'll need all the pieces to be eligible for the final prize drawing!

Please HOP over and visit the Amazing

Pamela Huntington

pamelahuntington

(Pick Up the Next Secret Word)

It's Time to Visit Jacqueline Newbold on the AG Blog Hop

Celebrating Artful Gathering 2013 Online Art Retreat

Open for Registration

Blog Hop your way for chance to win!

From June to August 2013, ArtfulGathering.com will be presenting TWO exciting semesters of premiere online video workshops offered by fabulous artists who are known nationally and internationally. We are all very excited to share our knowledge, skill, and creativity with you, and we hope that you will join us for this AMAZING annual online event.

Blog Hop with us for a chance to win a $200 gift certificate towards an Artful Gathering 2013 online video workshop(s).

(Gift certificate applicable to 2013 workshops only and does not apply towards kits or dvds).

Each week I will announce the next featured blog for you to visit, and there you will find a new secret word or words that you will need to collect along your way. Once you have collected all the words from each blog you visit, they will work out to say a very artsy phrase. Here are the rules:

1. For your chance to win, you must collect all the secret code words and submit them upon the final destination blog in May. A random drawing will be conducted from those participants who have submitted the complete collection of secret words.
   
   
   
    


2. Only one winner will be randomly drawn from the list of participants who have collected all the secret words.
   
    

Remember to collect all the secret words. These words will work out to say a very artful phrase, and you'll need all the pieces to be eligible for the final prize drawing!

Please HOP over and visit the Amazing

Jacqueline Newbold

http://djnewbold.blogspot.com/

(Pick Up the Next Secret Word)

Time to Visit Kecia Deveney for the AG 2013 Blog Hop

Hop on over to Kecia's blog for the next secret word...
She's been waiting for you!

Celebrating Artful Gathering 2013 Online Art Retreat

Open for Registration

Blog Hop your way for chance to win!

From June to August 2013, ArtfulGathering.com will be presenting TWO exciting semesters of premiere online video workshops offered by fabulous artists who are known nationally and internationally. We are all very excited to share our knowledge, skill, and creativity with you, and we hope that you will join us for this AMAZING annual online event.

Blog Hop with us for a chance to win a $200 gift certificate towards an Artful Gathering 2013 online video workshop(s).

(Gift certificate applicable to 2013 workshops only and does not apply towards kits or dvds).

Each week I will announce the next featured blog for you to visit, and there you will find a new secret word or words that you will need to collect along your way. Once you have collected all the words from each blog you visit, they will work out to say a very artsy phrase. Here are the rules:

1. For your chance to win, you must collect all the secret code words and submit them upon the final destination blog in May. A random drawing will be conducted from those participants who have submitted the complete collection of secret words.
   
   
   
    


2. Only one winner will be randomly drawn from the list of participants who have collected all the secret words.
   
    

Remember to collect all the secret words. These words will work out to say a very artful phrase, and you'll need all the pieces to be eligible for the final prize drawing!

Please HOP over and visit the Amazing

Kecia Deveney

http://lemoncholys.blogspot.com/

(Pick Up the Next Secret Word)

It's Riki Time on the AG Blog Hop

Riki & Vivi
I know you'll enjoy visiting my dear and faithful friend,
Riki Schumacher's blog,
for the next stop on the Artful Gathering Blog Hop!
We just spent a week together last month, 
in Tucson, 
teaching for Vivi Magoo Presents.
We laughed, we ate, we shopped the way cool Tucson gem show
AND
we taught jewelry classes to an amazing group of students!

 So, hop on over to get your next secret word, 
and see what she's been up to.... 

Celebrating Artful Gathering 2013 Online Art Retreat

Open for Registration

Blog Hop your way for chance to win!

From June to August 2013, ArtfulGathering.com will be presenting TWO exciting semesters of premiere online video workshops offered by fabulous artists who are known nationally and internationally. We are all very excited to share our knowledge, skill, and creativity with you, and we hope that you will join us for this AMAZING annual online event.

Blog Hop with us for a chance to win a $200 gift certificate towards an Artful Gathering 2013 online video workshop(s).

(Gift certificate applicable to 2013 workshops only and does not apply towards kits or dvds).

Each week I will announce the next featured blog for you to visit, and there you will find a new secret word or words that you will need to collect along your way. Once you have collected all the words from each blog you visit, they will work out to say a very artsy phrase. Here are the rules:

1. For your chance to win, you must collect all the secret code words and submit them upon the final destination blog in May. A random drawing will be conducted from those participants who have submitted the complete collection of secret words.


2. Only one winner will be randomly drawn from the list of participants who have collected all the secret words.

Remember to collect all the secret words. These words will work out to say a very artful phrase, and you'll need all the pieces to be eligible for the final prize drawing!

Please HOP over and visit the Amazing

Riki Schumacher

http://rikijewelry.blogspot.com/

(Pick Up the Next Secret Word)

Drops of Crystal and Blog Hop Time for MJ

I've been busy taping...

 

Drops of Crystal
...which is the class I will 
be teaching in the first session at

Artful Gathering 2013!

Celebrating Artful Gathering 2013 Online Art Retreat

Open for Registration

Blog Hop your way for chance to win!

From June to August 2013, ArtfulGathering.com will be presenting TWO exciting semesters of premiere online video workshops offered by fabulous artists who are known nationally and internationally. We are all very excited to share our knowledge, skill, and creativity with you, and we hope that you will join us for this AMAZING annual online event.

Blog Hop with us for a chance to win a $200 gift certificate towards an Artful Gathering 2013 online video workshop(s).

(Gift certificate applicable to 2013 workshops only and does not apply towards kits or dvds).

Each week I will announce the next featured blog for you to visit, and there you will find a new secret word or words that you will need to collect along your way. Once you have collected all the words from each blog you visit, they will work out to say a very artsy phrase. Here are the rules:

1. For your chance to win, you must collect all the secret code words and submit them upon the final destination blog in May. A random drawing will be conducted from those participants who have submitted the complete collection of secret words.
   
   
   
    


2. Only one winner will be randomly drawn from the list of participants who have collected all the secret words.
   
    

Remember to collect all the secret words. These words will work out to say a very artful phrase, and you'll need all the pieces to be eligible for the final prize drawing!

Please HOP over and visit the Amazing

Mary Jane Chadbourne

http://desertdreamstudios.weebly.com/blog.

(Pick Up the Next Secret Word)

Clicking my Heels and Blog Hopping Week 3

Lorraine George, Deryn Mentock and =)


I'm clicking my heels happy to say that I've made it through one of the longest teaching gigs thus far...teaching 5 classes (in a row) last week in Houston, at 
Adorn Me! 2013.  
I so wish I would have had more time to visit with Deryn and Lorraine,
but we did manage to get a quick picture on Sunday, 
just before Deryn & I high tailed it our final day of teaching.
Now it's time to begin videoing 
the two classes I'll be teaching this summer 
for 
Artful Gathering. 
I do hope I see you in
one, two
or 
maybe both of the sessions,
held this June-August.
This weeks hop features the talented
Mary Beth Shaw.
Just hop on over to her blog now
for more details and the next secret word!

Celebrating Artful Gathering 2013 Online Art Retreat

Open for Registration

Blog Hop your way for chance to win!

From June to August 2013, ArtfulGathering.com will be presenting TWO exciting semesters of premiere online video workshops offered by fabulous artists who are known nationally and internationally. We are all very excited to share our knowledge, skill, and creativity with you, and we hope that you will join us for this AMAZING annual online event.

Blog Hop with us for a chance to win a $200 gift certificate towards an Artful Gathering 2013 online video workshop(s).

(Gift certificate applicable to 2013 workshops only and does not apply towards kits or dvds).

Each week I will announce the next featured blog for you to visit, and there you will find a new secret word or words that you will need to collect along your way. Once you have collected all the words from each blog you visit, they will work out to say a very artsy phrase. Here are the rules:

1. For your chance to win, you must collect all the secret code words and submit them upon the final destination blog in May. A random drawing will be conducted from those participants who have submitted the complete collection of secret words.


2. Only one winner will be randomly drawn from the list of participants who have collected all the secret words.
    
   

Remember to collect all the secret words. These words will work out to say a very artful phrase, and you'll need all the pieces to be eligible for the final prize drawing!

Please HOP over and visit the Amazing

Mary Beth Shaw

http://mbshaw.blogspot.com/

(Pick Up the Next Secret Word)

The Blog Hop Continues AND Hoping I see you at Adorn Me! 2013

 I do hope I see you in a couple days at

Adorn Me! 2013...

It is one of the closest venues I will be teaching at this year, 

being only 11 miles away from home.

I have been to Tucson and back,

teaching at Art Retreat in the Desert.

It was amazing.

The gem show was truly inspiring, the students were super duper, 

the weather was outstanding,

AND

the hotel & management were GREAT.

Barb and Erin worked their retreat magic,

(along with help from brother, Casey)

and all went SO well,

I just can't say enough good things about the entire trip.

Except, 

if you missed it in 2013,

you won't want to miss it in 2014.
 Yes, Barb has already put it on the schedule, 

so watch out for details here, or my Facebook Page (of course), 

or Vivi Magoo Presents,

in the near future.

Right now I have my eyes set on Adorn Me, 

as I will be teaching 5 classes ~ in a row!

Can you say Yee...haawww?

Yes...

I WILL be wearing a pair of my new boots.

AND, don't forget to visit our next stop on the 

Artful Gathering Blog Hop!

The featured artist this stop 

is the talented

Colleen Moody!

Celebrating Artful Gathering 2013 Online Art Retreat

Open for Registration

Blog Hop your way for chance to win!

From June to August 2013, ArtfulGathering.com will be presenting TWO exciting semesters of premiere online video workshops offered by fabulous artists who are known nationally and internationally. We are all very excited to share our knowledge, skill, and creativity with you, and we hope that you will join us for this AMAZING annual online event.

Blog Hop with us for a chance to win a $200 gift certificate towards an Artful Gathering 2013 online video workshop(s).

(Gift certificate applicable to 2013 workshops only and does not apply towards kits or dvds).

Each week I will announce the next featured blog for you to visit, and there you will find a new secret word or words that you will need to collect along your way. Once you have collected all the words from each blog you visit, they will work out to say a very artsy phrase. Here are the rules:

1. For your chance to win, you must collect all the secret code words and submit them upon the final destination blog in May. A random drawing will be conducted from those participants who have submitted the complete collection of secret words.
   
    


2. Only one winner will be randomly drawn from the list of participants who have collected all the secret words.
   
    

Remember to collect all the secret words. These words will work out to say a very artful phrase, and you'll need all the pieces to be eligible for the final prize drawing!

Please HOP over and visit the Amazing

Colleen Moody

http://colleenmoody.blogspot.com

;

(Pick Up the Next Secret Word)

The Hop Continues for Artful Gathering 2013

Celebrating Artful Gathering 2013 Online Art Retreat

Open for Registration

Blog Hop your way for chance to win!

From June to August 2013, ArtfulGathering.com will be presenting TWO exciting semesters of premiere online video workshops offered by fabulous artists who are known nationally and internationally. We are all very excited to share our knowledge, skill, and creativity with you, and we hope that you will join us for this AMAZING annual online event.

Blog Hop with us for a chance to win a $200 gift certificate towards an Artful Gathering 2013 online video workshop(s).

(Gift certificate applicable to 2013 workshops only and does not apply towards kits or dvds).

Each week I will announce the next featured blog for you to visit, and there you will find a new secret word or words that you will need to collect along your way. Once you have collected all the words from each blog you visit, they will work out to say a very artsy phrase. Here are the rules:

1. For your chance to win, you must collect all the secret code words and submit them upon the final destination blog in May. A random drawing will be conducted from those participants who have submitted the complete collection of secret words.
   
2. Only one winner will be randomly drawn from the list of participants who have collected all the secret words.

Remember to collect all the secret words. These words will work out to say a very artful phrase, and you'll need all the pieces to be eligible for the final prize drawing!

Please HOP over and visit the Amazing
Pam Carriker

http://pamcarriker.com/blog/

(Pick Up the Next Secret Word)

Artful Gathering Blog Hop Begins Today!

Celebrating Artful Gathering 2013 Online Art Retreat

Open for Registration

Blog Hop your way for chance to win!

From June to August 2013, ArtfulGathering.com will be presenting TWO exciting semesters of premiere online video workshops offered by fabulous artists who are known nationally and internationally. We are all very excited to share our knowledge, skill, and creativity with you, and we hope that you will join us for this AMAZING annual online event.

Blog Hop with us for a chance to win a $200 gift certificate towards an Artful Gathering 2013 online video workshop(s).

(Gift certificate applicable to workshops only and does not apply towards kits or dvds).

Each week I will announce the next featured blog for you to visit, and there you will find a new secret word or words that you will need to collect along your way. Once you have collected all the words from each blog you visit, they will work out to say a very artsy phrase. Here are the rules:

1. For your chance to win, you must collect all the secret code words and submit them upon the final destination blog in May. A random drawing will be conducted from those participants who have submitted the complete collection of secret words.


2. Only one winner will be randomly drawn from the list of participants who have collected all the secret words.

Remember to collect all the secret words. These words will work out to say a very artful phrase, and you'll need all the pieces to be eligible for the final prize drawing!

Please HOP over and visit the Amazing

Nancy Malay

http://www.nancymalay.blogspot.com/

(Pick Up the Next Secret Word)

looking forward to Coronado

Time has really been flying faster than a speeding bullet for me...

as in just 4 short days I will have already landed in

Coronado, California,

getting ready to teach three days of some of my favorite classes.

I have already packed up and shipped two boxes of supplies,

sending them off with many prayers that they'll land there safely on Tuesday!

I have enjoyed much family time this past week, but have also been happily enjoying my 

first of two summer online classes which began on June 6th.  The one that's going on now, 

Heart Strings, is the one I'll be teaching on Sunday (in person),
at Art Retreat by the Beach.

This past week I designed a Heart Strings I'll be wearing this next weekend,

called "My Grandmothers".

Another thankful nod to two ladies that gave birth to my parents, 

and taught me more than they probably ever realized.

After sharing these beauties in my previous post, I knew I had to use at least one of the three beautiful rhinestone watch bezels, so indeed I did...

in my newest Heart Strings.

Oh, now this was some fun...using that wonderful picture of my grandparents as a very young couple which I shared with you, seems like eons ago.

I also decided to use a resin bezel I had of my other grandmother, Rosa,

thus giving me the name for my piece.

I used some other great vintage pieces in this necklace,

an old tiny diary key, a vintage rosary, another vintage crucifix & religious metal, a sprinkle of vintage rhinestone buttons, a heart taken from some retro earrings, some of my favorite rhinestone connectors, oxidized rhinestone crystal rondells, and some gorgeous faceted Peruvian Opals.

I really am in love with the box chain I used in this Heart Strings...wish I had more.

But, I'm sure you know how that goes.

And, of course, I added some wonderful vintage lace, trim, tulle and some of my 

current favorite colors of recycled sari silk.  Yum.

 

Oh yes, and one of my Tiny Etched Books,

which is currently shown in the latest issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry~

along with step-out photos!

These are all fun elements we will be working on in Coronado,

in just one short week, as this class in on Sunday.

And, just so you know, you still have until the 20th to enroll in Heart Strings online,
even as we speak, at Artful Gathering.

Some great pieces are beginning to show up in the AG photo gallery...

Like this Heart Strings made by one of my students, Mary Royals.
What a great job Mary!

Maybe I'll see you in Coronado...or perhaps online.

~diane

xo