Day One, Jane Austen Society of America Annual General Meeting

What a paradise!!  Who knew I’d find so many authors in one place?  Authors whose books I’ve loved.  Who knew?  But more about that later.  Just want to share our first day.   This is the post  my daughter put up.  Isn’t it lovely?  I have no qualms about stealing it for my own blog!

Sneak Peek at my ball gown

This morning, after staying up late to put the final touches on my dress, I picked up my Mom at the airport and off we were on our road trip to Portland.

We were able to check in to out room at the Hilton early. We went to registration tables, saw some cute T-shirts, picked up our packets and headed up to out lovely room, where we dumped out our “Jane Austen- The Abbey” tote bags to admire the contents.

 With post cards, a book light, and chocolate. You can’t go wrong!

 Mom and I in our room.

Mom and I decorate our nametags And take a quick snapshot before unpacking or dresses.

 I unpacked a portrait of Dear Jane for our room.

After this we went down to our dance workshop. We practiced four English country dances in an hour and a half. Sometimes it was exasperating, but when the dance came together it was exhilarating!  I danced across from my mom, but after the first dance they encouraged us to change partners. A nice looking and friendly woman agreed to be my partner. I saw my mom introduce herself to her new partner, and thought I should do the same, but then upon seeing her nametag I got VERY excited and almost lost it. I was dancing with Laurie Viera Rigler, the author of ‘Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict’ and ‘Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict’! Oh! (I may need a moment)…..Do you know how AWESOME that was???

OK, composure regained.

After dancing and a great dinner, we went to look at ‘Milsom Street’, the emporium full of booths, books, and other items for sale. Here is a sampling of the ‘shops’

 Rebecca Morrison Peck of ‘The Thatched Cottage’.

 Kay Demlow, Designer, Dressmaker, and Fashion Historian for Lavender’s Green Historic Clothing

There were also some lovely historic dresses on display that I photographed for your enjoyment. But first, here are links to a few more of the vendors:

Vintage Passementerie

Jean Judy- Jane Austen Charm Jewelry

Charlene Ahern- Henry Was a Railroad Man Card Company

After a brief rest in our room we attended Angela Barlow’s “Jane Austen, An Actor’s View”, with observations, readings, and delightful observations about the characters Jane Austen created. That leads us to where we are now, enjoying the view from my window, exhausted.

And now for more DRESSES………….

See you tomorrow,

-Lynnae

We Are Fam-i-ly

What a wonderful surprise I got this morning when I opened my facebook notification.   My lovely daughter, Julie, posted a mosaic of her with all her sisters.  These are stunning, talented, gorgeous women who often leave me amazed.  I feel honored to be with them.  They bring light and joy into my life.
I have sons, too, and had to laugh when one of the girls commented on facebook—“What…we have brothers?”

Latest Book Club

I enjoyed hostessing our latest book club!    Typically though, I was hustling and having so much fun I totally forgot about taking pictures…..so here they are—a bit after the fact.

We decided to make cakes for sampling while we discussed this book and Part 2 of  Fountainhead.
The recipes at the end of the book sound so yummy that I’m waiting for a rainy day to try one or two.  Don’t you just love baking on a rainy or snowy day?
Here are a couple of shots of the table setting.  I was excited to put out some cake plates that I’ve been collecting.


I made little cake plates for all of us.  During the summer I went to just about every Goodwill store from Utah to Washington shopping for vintage-looking dessert plates and saucers and crystal candle holders.  I used epoxy to bond them and tied on bits of lace, ribbons and a tag.  Didn’t they turn out pretty cute?

Dreamer

I am such a dreamer!  Daydreaming seems to be a favorite pastime, so when I found this cute sign yesterday I knew it was calling out to me.  Luckily I was awake en0ugh to hear.  
But wait!
Aren’t I an official blogger now that I have my studio?
What am I thinking?  I remember I need to embellish this before I hang it in my studio AND I need “before and after photos.”  Phew!  I barely tore myself away in time.  Just pretend there’s nothing on that pink background…..just for a minute or two.
Whoomp…here it is.  My first attempt at art in my new studio.

Yawning now.  Gotta go take a nap.

It’s My Party

Here are the picture posts of my studio.  I can hardly wait to get in here to sew, paint and create.  My space is pretty small, only about 10 x 11.

Luckily the ceilings are quite tall…. no where to go but up!
This is my “art” wall for storing paints (note tackle boxes, one for oils and one for acrylic), scrapbooking materials and treasure for making jewelry.

I recently moved my desk under my window, and I love it there!  The natural light is perfect for all my art.
My space for writing lesson plans, poetry, et cetera and blogging.
 
Sewing and quilting.
Reading too.
Thanks for stopping by…..I see I have gone past midnight so I guess my post will show up on the 25th.

Here’s the closet I turned into more storage shelves.
Twinkle lights are tucked behind pink tulle…sometimes I love to come in here without turning on my overhead light.
When I feel like I haven’t accomplished much,  I just look at my before and after pictures and smile.

My Creative Space?

I am still working on my studio.  I really feel disappointed that I didn’t meet the deadline for Where Bloggers Create, but have set my own deadline now that Mom is doing so much better.  I’m going with last year’s deadline of July 24 which is what inspired me in the first place to turn my office/storage/ junk space into a studio.  Even that is pushing it, what with a school district meeting tomorrow and a root canal on Thursday….but  on the 24th I’ll just post my progress so far…..
WARNING:  What you are about to see contains some insanity and may be seriously disturbing.

My shelf for craft books and a few sewing items.
The dreaded scale.  I mean really, how can anyone create with this constant reminder—chaos in mind, space and body.

My wall with the only window.
My computer desk with books for writing to be published and several books to help with lesson plans.
Etc. that need a home.

My desk for painting, planning, sewing and scrapbooking.
My shelves for card making, scrapbooking, sewing and gift wrapping.
My bookcase….really.

My closet for storage.
Items that will not fit in my closet for storage.
School stuff that permeates nearly every nook and cranny in my “studio”
and spills into my bedroom.
Disclaimer:  The author is NOT responsible for any trauma experienced by the viewing of above photos, but cordially invites you to return LATE on the night of the 24th (or even better on the 25th or after).  
We can only go uphill from here.

Priorities

My dear, talented mom has been quite ill for several weeks.  I’ve spent many days and nights with her in the hospital, and now she has finally been moved to a continuing care center for a couple weeks of therapy—that is if she doesn’t up and decide to walk home by herself.  She is one determined lady.
I want to thank everyone (family and friends) who kept her in their hearts and prayers.
One thing I missed is The Dessert Cottage challenge for posting my studio for where women create.  I feel guilty for not following through in time for the deadline, but have decided to plunge ahead and pretend that last year’s deadline of July 24 is my deadline even though I didn’t make Karen’s blog.  So don’t write me off, if you happen by….I’m glad to be back blogging and creating, but most of all I’m glad that prayers are answered and my mom is still with us.