I have so much to tell all of you this morning.

We had an amazing snow storm this weekend (2ft) and we all had so much fun playing in the snow.

We went sledding a few times, yummy hot cocoa was made and the boys made an awesome snow fort.

I love being home so being snowed in for a day or two doesn’t matter to me.

Now that the snow is melting I can move away from the sleds and tell you guys a few fun things.

First up is that we have some new things in the shop!

We have a new Sadie (made with vintage fabric), clutch (made with vintage fabric) and a spanking new infinity scarf (that looks AMAZING with the Audrey dress too}.

All the new items are limited edition.

All new items can be found in the SHOP.

Also, I am happy to tell you that we have more Natalie Camera Bags in stock!

This will be the LAST run of the bags.

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Now that shop news is covered I can tell you about a wonderful book I read this weekend.

This weekend I gobbled up Courtney Walsh’s new book, A Sweethaven Summer.

It was sooo good and I got to bed around 1:30 am each night because I couldn’t put it down.

This is the first time that I have read a novel written by a friend.

It was a different experience and I was actually a little nervous as I was reading.

Nervous for Courtney. But I didn’t have any reason to be nervous for her….it is amazing and an incredible first novel.

I can’t wait for book two in the series to come out.

Come on Courtney….can’t a friend get an early copy?

This is so good that I want to give away a copy to one of my readers.

Leave a comment on THIS post and I will pick a winner later this week.

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My friend, Teresa Sheeley, has an exciting new e-course starting on March 19th!

Registration has already begun.

Let me give you a little peek into the course.

Presented to you by:

Teresa Sheeley & Kayla Johnson

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP

Making Something Beautiful is all about living your art dream.  If you ever had ideas or dreams of going off to art school and living the artsy life ~{ MSB} will give you that feel.   Our goal is to make this experience for you to be just like stepping into art school for the first time.  Even if you are an experienced artist this course will be fun and informational for you too, as well as the opportunity to give you inspiration plus let you give back some helpful advice to the class.

This course will focus on what you would find if you were going to art school.  Introduction to various tools of the trade; drawing, painting, color, technique and even art history.  Learning about tools, different paints, technique and color are such important aspects to any medium you are drawn to.  It’s good to know why things work the way they do and even where they originated from.  Having these skills will only enhance where you are in your life of art.

You will receive weekly videos of instruction and assignments.  We will offer all kinds of support through the Facebook page, Flickr sights and our one on one help.  We will strive to create a very artsy aesthetically pleasing community.

ALL THIS INSTRUCTION WILL LEAD YOU UP TO A FINAL PROJECT TO BE PLACED IN OUR ART SALON TO SELL.

ART SALON:  Popularity of the art salon was originated in France beginning in the 1700′s.  The salons would exhibit pieces of art from floor to ceiling usually in someones home.  Many famous artists got there start participating in an art salon.  Cezanne, Picasso, and Matisse just to name a few were very present during the art salon era.  Probably one of the most famous salons were in the home of Gertrude Stein in the early 1900′s.  

COURSE OFFERINGS:

This is a FIVE – WEEK course.

Week 1:  Important drawing techniques and instruction.  Learning tools for drawing.  Introduction to different papers and how this all blends together to give you the best techniques. Learning about light source.

Week 2:  Nudes, figure drawing and complex shapes.  Grid drawing and thinking BIG!!  {Week 2 also will be your first critique week}.  **Critique is an option; if you would prefer not to join in this, no worries. More on critiquing later.

Week 3:  Still life – painting – intro to color, materials, oils & acrylics. Painting using just 3 colors.

Week 4:  Plein Air painting – Watercolor & gouache introduction and more. Mixed media. {Critique week}

Week 5:  ART SALON - The art salon will be a website set up for virtual touring of your work.  We will be encouraging you throughout the course to think of a final project that you would like to put in the show. You have the opportunity to sell your work; plus make the money back that you put into the course.  This is a great way for you to invite your family, friends and strangers to view  your work.

Doesn’t this sound amazing?

You can read more about Teresa and her daughter HERE.

The best part is that Teresa has generously offered to give one of YOU the gift of taking her class.

All you have to do is leave a comment in THIS post to be entered.

Thank you, Teresa!

I know that someone will LOVE your beautiful course.

I will be taking it and I hope you will join me.

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I have to also tell you about this new workshop by Christy Tomlinson and the Guilded Girls!

They have a beautiful new workshop that is starting before Valentine’s Day but the projects will go way beyond the day of love.

You can find out more and sign up HERE.

This class is full of so many beautiful projects that you can make for yourself or give as gifts (the best kind of gifts if you ask me)

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More more thing:-)

Kimberly Taylor and I started a fun photo series for the month of February.

We are capturing the lovely in our lives with our phone cameras.

We would LOVE for you to join us “Finding the Lovely”.

OK, that is it.  I swear.

Have a beautiful Monday and don’t forget to comment on THIS post for a chance to win a copy of A Sweethaven Summer and entry into the art workshop, Make Something Beautiful.

I am done.  Really.  I have nothing more. At all.  Nothing.