tears of a clown

Bud's Clown

Royer's Cafe, Round Top, Texas
I have long returned from teaching in Fayetteville a week ago Saturday! It was wonderful, as usual, to watch the students work their way thru the class, this one being Etched and Layered. Each one using their individual talents and style to design a cuff, beginning with beautiful brass components I brought in from my friend Jill at Brass Bouquet.  Some added additional layers of rhinestone or vintage lace~like Charlene, or perhaps a gorgeous vintage button that was her grandmother's~like Pat.
Lookie at the picture Charlene took of her cuff.  Isn't it gorgeous?  She used a piece of Jilll's brass, called Kathleen, on top of her etched cuff.  Below it is a single layer of vintage tulle, some like I will have listed in my etsy shop beginning in June.  (I will have just a limited supply of goodies I will be listing).
You can see more details and pictures from our class on Charlene's blog.
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You know how I love to share my photographs!

I took lots of photos at the end of class, including a couple of great group shots, which also included pictures of each of their beautiful cuffs.
This past weekend was no different.   Almost.
Most of my pictures are gone. Poof ***in thin air*** not there. 
Actually, only two pictures were on my camera when I downloaded the photos, one being Bud's Clown, which I actually took at the end of the day on Sunday.
I am crying just a bit, as you have no idea where all I traveled this past weekend.  And, not alone mind you, as after the class on Saturday, my good friend Charlene and her dh, along with my dh and I, went out to dinner. Then we stayed in one of the best B&B's in Texas, called The Outpost at Cedar Creek.
I do have one great picture of Lenore's activity center, which in fact is a converted horse barn (and is simply gorgeous inside), only because I had visited the property last September and taken some pictures then.

We stayed in The Shelby Guesthouse.
I so wish I had photos to share with you, as it was amazing. I loved everything about it. From the wide planked wooden floors, to the softly gathered gauze curtains hanging from one piece of rusty wire above each window. Can you say, French Farmhouse~with a Texas flair? Quite unique and one of a kind. I cannot even tell you the photo ops I grasped that day....taking pictures as if I would never ever be able to take another picture~ever!  Charlene does have some posted on her blog, so please hop on over there to see pics of our great adventure!
 The next morning we went down to the activity center for breakfast. It is just the coolest. And, the breakfast was scrumptious.  Then we jumped into Charlene's minivan and headed to nearby Burton to visit with Linda Marcov, of Willow Nest Farm.  We toured the property she has for sale, which includes a potting barn, gorgeous garden, two workshops, a large storefront and a gorgeous "B", as Linda calls it. Not a B&B, because as the owners they bring the breakfast in, but do not stay on the property. It is simply gorgeous......just like Linda. 
Just watch her blog banner, and you will see pictures of it there.  

I bought some gorgeous silk ribbon, vintage corset ribbon and this stamp set, 
which I love!

  After we left Burton, we drove to Leftovers Antiques just outside of Brenham. I told Charlene it was an amazing store. It is. If you ever have an opportunity to visit, you won't regret it.

 This is a picture I had taken last fall when my dd and I stopped there on our way to or B&B.

After pulling ourselves out of Leftovers, we headed back to Round Top to eat at Royers.

That is where I took the picture of the (creepy) clown.

Oh, did I tell you I started the Digital Layers class of Susan Tuttle's on Sunday?

Yes, I did, and it is great FUN!

{Echo} Week 7 : Whisper

"whisper"

As I share my interpretation of the echo prompt given to us by Chrysti and Susan for Week 7,
I am reminded of the glory of God revealed to us in the soft whispering flutter of a butterflies wings.
My shot was taken in south Texas during Thanksgiving weekend.
My prompt partner Lani, shares with us the inukshuk, which just so happens to be the emblem for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
Lani says this~
"The inukshuk image was from our course. There's an ancient wall built with rocks from when white folks just arrived in the area. It's part of our morning walk. Someone had taken loose rocks and built inukshuk or inuksuit (plural) which means "in the likeness of a human" in the Inuit language. They are monuments made of stones that are used to say "Someone was here" or "You are on the right path." I love these little figures and wonder about all the various peoples that have lived on this land.
The walls and rocks whisper to me "someone was here" and "you are on the right path."
(texture used: les brumes)
Click on photo to enlarge!

{Echo} Week 6: Face

Lani and I are sharing our sixth bi-weekly prompt
with Susan and Chrysti -- face.

Lani explains her interpretation: Edward came down this morning with these miniature daffodils and there was never a more beautiful or welcome face as that of these little flowers in the middle of all our snow and ice! Oh, I agree.
What could be more welcoming than the bright yellow face of a daffodil?

Daffodils have their own little special place buried way down deep in my memory of memories. When I was growing up, my grandmother (Josie) had the most beautiful creamy white daffodils magically appear each Spring in her front yard. They lined up, like a row of soldiers, straight and narrow down the front of the large wooden house where my mother lived as a girl.

On occasion, I was even allowed to pick one...or maybe two!

My contribution is a photo of our beautiful grandson, who will be one in just a few short weeks.
He is growing so fast.
My husband and I travel to see him at least weekly. Grandparents are meant to be a part of their grand children's life. I do know that so very well.

Be sure and visit the Flickr group for more beautiful diptychs.
You will enjoy!
(texture used: les brumes, click on photo to enlarge =)