Spring fling!

Even though it is autumn here I am having a "spring fling" with Carol Wingert. I am very excited to have one of her kits on order. I fell in love with "Birds of a Feather" that the lovely Sarah ordered. I have bought all manner of bits and pieces to make my own version but haven't got around to atually making it yet!

Carol is on her way to Sydney as I write this - she is coming to SIA. I told her to seek out JVO and perhaps incorporate some of her products in an one of her future kits! Her reply was

I have always loved Julie's work...I'm looking forward to meeting her and who knows, maybe some of her product will end up in the kits! Carol Wingert

Who wants to come to Paris with me?

Well I am thinking very seriously about it...

And the last time I was there was 10 years ago!

It all started with this email......(passed on from a friend)

Dear Colin,

During our absence from Paris in August and September, our flat in the centre of Paris is available for rental.Location: Ile St Louis (200m from Notre Dame cathedral). Close to everything.Detail: 70m2, all facilities, 5th floor, in an old traditional building, dating from the 17th century. 2 bedrooms, 2 kitchens, 2bathrooms, 1 large (for Paris) lounge/dining room. Terrace with viewover Paris roofs, view of Parthenon and the Seine. Shops and restaurants less than 1 minute from front door. Easy access to rail line to airports.Rental: $1400/week. Sheets/linen provided but tenants will do own laundry. Contact for further information.....

So who wants to share the flat with me for 2 weeks? Probably September... Then I'll be staying with a friend (I hope) in the South for a couple of weeks......

I priced airfares and malaysian has one for around $1200 + tax... I'm sure I paid more than that 10 years ago!

Edit: I knew it was to good to be true - add $700 or so tax onto that price!

Bernies ring

Isn't it a beauty! All 2.something carats! Oh my god I don't think I have seen a diamond as big as this one!

Bernie (Berlin) was such a good sport letting me "borrow" it! I don't know if I would have let me borrow it ;-)

Art Retreat

Above is my interpretation of the class design.

Left is one of the canvases that DJ used to show us techniques in class. I bought it from her after the class.

What a FANTASTIC weekend! It's taken me 2 days to get over it. The Tutors were senational - YAHHHHH to Stephanie Lee, DJ Pettit and Bernie Berlin.

I just LOVED the face painting. DJ is such a gifted teacher. It certainly showed when 23 out of 24 pupils finished the class with stunning pieces. As for the 24th student - she decided to stick with her 'style'. I don't know why she bothers spending all this money on classes - she never listens to the teachers or seems open to learning!

I did a face painting class with a different American tutor last year. She was a FANTASTIC artist but in my opinion a crap teacher!