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Tuesday, January 11, 2011

a hop, skip & a jump into 2011

 I have been soaring with eagles since the end of the year.
I have felt more relaxed and more free than any other time I can remember in my life.
Just after Christmas, I took a trip to deep south Texas.  One I have
made with my husband for the last 15 years.  
We spent time on a 6,000 acre spread....filled with an abundance of wildlife 
(like the Mexican Eagle we saw feeding its chick!) 
and lots of fresh clean air.
 Where we played one day of golf
and then went to eat great Mexican food after wards.
The name of the rustic little town,

But, once home...I had packages to unwrap. 
Congratulations to be had!  
This one from my dear east coast friend,
Who sent me crystal goodies, rhinestone dreams and brass findings!
Thank you Cindy for thinking of me!
 Then, there was a sewing class I had scheduled!
Sewing class?  
Yes, I've been sewing since my 4-H years and in my high school homemaking class.
But, exactly two years ago, yes two, I bought a new machine, as I began sewing leather and vintage lace cuffs, which is also one of the classes I'm teaching at Adorn Me, called
I love this new machine, and it worked perfect for my meager needs.
But, there are gadgets on this Husqvarna Viking machine I wanted to know more about.  When I purchased it, a free class was thrown in.  I NEVER had the time to take it, so one of the very first things I did, in 2011, was finally take the class!
I learned more about my machine, and needles and thread than I ever learned in my teen years! I am so glad I did it, because now I can share it with my students =)
So, onto the next project....a magazine submission must be put into the mail.
It turned out to be fantastic, and I so wish I could share it ALL with you...but not yet =)
Okay, maybe a peak!
Oh, no I can't do it...
but I can share one of the newest rhinestone pieces I received in the mail.
 And, how about this vintage brooch?
This one will look beautiful on an Etched & Layered Cuff, while the rhinestones will be perfect for a Rhinestones & Rosaries piece.
So, back to the submission project.
All, I can say is....it was the most fun I have EVER had putting together an idea!
I was in no rush, no hurry....only a sure and steady relaxed resolve.
Retirement is THE BEST =)
Along the submission path I received a piece of information from my friend Cindy, who
told me about an Etsy dealer & talented artist, Lisa Jurist, of Mudhound Studio.
Lisa sells gorgeous recycled silk sari ribbon, including hand-dyed silk yarn.
I knew I had to have some, so I placed a order, 
and lookie what I received ~
It is luscious and SOFT...which is exactly what I was looking for.
 And, the colors are simply divine.
Rest assured, I will be using some of these sooner~than later.
They have had my head spinning with new design possibilities from the moment I opened the package!
So, now I have jumped into the new year head first!
Welcome 2011!
I have been waiting for you.....
a very long, long time!

20 comments:

Charlene said...

I AM SOOOOooooooooo happy that you are finally retired! And now we can play. I talked to Riki today about Round Top. So glad she is joining us. I made our hotel reservations. Staying at the same place Susie, Hubby & I stayed. HOPE Susie will join us too. Sorry I've been (as Sandy says) "radio silent"... but, I've had my "shadow" home most of the time since Christmas. Her's back to work this week so now I have more ME TIME! I ADORE your rhinestone pieces & can't wait to see what you have up your sleeve.HUGS!
Charlene

Andrea said...

What beautiful photos! And looked like your trip was so fun!! Can't wait to see your new ideas!

Lisa said...

gorgeous photos...what a wonderful trip Diane..looks like it was quite rejuvenating!
I have a husqvarna too...but lately i've been into my free motion foot so I've abandoned all the quilting stitches. i never took the classes either as I've sewn my whole life and would rather muddle through something...
thank you for the very generous and kind mention..looking forward to seeing what beautiful works you create with the ribbons...

stregata said...

Sounds awesome - can't wait to see what the secret it.
Lisa's silks are just incredible, aren't they? I love them! And the colours are perfect for those of us that don't really wear those (albeit beautiful) intense colours of the usual sari silks.

Daryl said...

WOW .. how wonderful ..


psst .. not souring ..I know you meant soaring ..

sharon said...

So glad that you are now enjoying your time.....that is what it is all about, and you deserve it!
Gorgeous photos Diane, and I can't wait to see the magazines in the months to come!

VS said...

Yeah!!!!! Diane is finally retired & can PLAY designer full-time! I am sooooooo happy for you friend, you greatly deserve this, you have worked hard & long to come to this path on your journey. I just can't wait to see where it leads you!
I need you to teach a submission class as I never feel I do it quite right. I'm not sure how to even porpose an idea to them, but this being my year to be BRAVE, I will figure it out...you are always my inspiration. Fly high Friend!
Luv ya,
Susie

Chris said...

Yay retirement! Time to have fun with your hubby and play with your jewels and teach lucky students to create masterpieces. I LOVE the silk! Lucious! I can't wait to see your submission~~it's going to knock my socks off!
I love you gal, so keep tickling my whimsy with your lovely pictures and sweet words.

Ragamuffin Gal said...

Congrats on retirement and your all of your fun and exciting 2011 events. I hope to make it to at least one of your classes. Wishing you a very beautiful year! Blessings ~ Katie

I am still enjoying my bracelet ~ one of my most favorite pieces of jewelry!

Cindy said...

It sounds like you have started 2011 with a bang - and with having just retired, there is a whole lot to celebrate! I can just feel the sense of relaxation and peace you must be experiencing - I sense it in your writing. I am really happy for you, Diane. I know this is just the beginning of the next amazing chapter in your life!
And btw, that is an incredible picture of the momma bird feeding the baby bird - how amazing that you caught that one!

The Joy of Nesting said...

By Jo I think she's got it!!! Isn't amazing how beautiful a rose is when you let all your senses loose to experience the total beauty of the rose??!! Our favorite phrase is "Life is good!!!"

Pattie ;)
Mazatlan Mx.

Susan Tuttle said...

beautiful photos diane! beautiful!

happy new year my friend!

xoxo

Riki Schumacher said...

Sooo funny Diane, I too have gotten the old machine out and am sewing. I too just bought some divine goodies from Mudhound Studio. Aren't they yummy? And like Lisa said, have been using my free motion foot, LOVE that little thing. A class, learning to sew, oops, didn't do that. I haven't sewn since jr. high! It is so much fun. Fabulous goodies from sweet Cindy, making the rest of look bad! Ha! Hugs, Riki

Stacie said...

Beautiful photos and isn't the freedom to what you want to do when you want to do it awesome?
That silk is just wonderful...if only I had time to learn to sew...next on my list!

Lovey said...

I am so happy for you!! SO happy that you are enjoying creativity and life! You deserve such happiness and blessings to fall upon you! So exciting!

Jen Crossley said...

Beautiful Photos Diane looks like you had a wonderful time.SO glad your retired so you can play to your hearts content
Jen

Rebecca said...

What a gorgeous blog you have. I found you through the bead soup party and I'm so glad I did!

Lisa said...

Diane,
You sound so happy! What freedom you must feel. I would love to take your cuff class, hum maybe. I am a big fan of Lisa at Mudhound. I think she is uber talented & have been ordering her silk & other fibers for awhile now. Can't wait to see how you incorporate them into your beautiful art. Lisa

A bird in the hand said...

Congratulations! You'll have more time now to make your gorgeous jewelry.

Your photos are unspeakably beautiful!!

Pretty Things said...

Such gorgeous things... even the stitching from the sewing machine.