FOR THE LOVE OF BIRDS, BURLAP, AND BLOOMS...

Whats not to love about blissful birds song, rough nubby burlap, and beautiful blooms? I hope you won't mind if I send you skittering across blog land today to visit a couple of friends with some wonderful things to share. With the sunshine beaming brightly today and the snow melting off my thoughts have turned to spring. I long to see the plump robins clad in their red vests return. I am anticipating the first of the wild violets to appear on the hillside. I cannot wait to awaken in the predawn morning to the sound of bird song.
(Photo Source used with permission Life @ Ruff Haven)

If you are like me and would like to have a touch of spring before it gets here why not get your craft on with a wonderful bird inspired crafting session hosted by Marianne of Life at Ruff Haven. Marianne recently posted two wonderful tutorials, one doing a reverse bird image application to a journal (More Fun With Varnish) and the other of adding the image to the textural surface of burlap (A Little Word About A Bird On Burlap). Both of these mixed-media techniques could be added to a variety of projects to enhance your artwork. Marianne was so gracious to let me use images of her artwork. Thank you, Marianne, for the wonderful inspiration! I hope you too will enjoy visiting her.
Just in case you have not heard, there is going to be a wonderful celebration of spring at a brand new art event hosted by none other than Karla of Karla's Cottage! The event is called Bird Song and will be held at the infamous cottage/studio of Karla on the weekend of April 30 - May 1, 2011. Ask me am I dying to go to this intimate gathering of friends, artists, and teachers...YES! Ask me if I am swooning over the beautiful projects...YES! Ask me if I am participating...YES!, but only in a small way as a sponsor for the event.
I want to attend in person so badly, it is within easy driving distance and so affordable too, but things keep cropping up to deter my being there so I thought if I could not be there in person I could be there in spirit through promotion and sponsorship of the event. I began working on some bird and bloom themed tags and supply kits to send to Karla for all the students and teachers plus I will add a piece of artwork for the raffle. I can't think of a better way to sing in spring than to usher it in with the creative energy that is sure to be served up at Bird Song!Last but not least, I wanted to wish each and everyone of you a beauty filled love fest kind of day this Valentine's Day! I'll be spending my day with the bride to be picking up a newly dyed pair of blue shoes and having a fitting done on the wedding gown, looking for supplies to make invitations, buying more coffee filters for some serious wedding fluff, and meeting with the maid of honor to look at brides maids dresses. I am ever so hopeful for a quite evening of snuggling on the sofa with my Handy Hubby to round out the day.

Here is a sweet scented, pale pink and green tinted, blush of spring rose just for you, my Valentine friends...
Happy Valentine's Day!