Paper Cowgirl 2010...Part One

The weekend was everything I thought it would be and MORE!

WARNING: This is a fairly long post as I would have liked to sum up the fun all in one post, but it was impossible  :)

I'm on vacation this week and I did not plan to be glued to the computer...but there is just SO much fun to cover...and I promised to take you with me so LET'S GO!

I was so excited to be able to attend the 3rd annual Paper Cowgirl, founded by a dream of the very first follower of my blog, the late Tina Wright.

She was such an inspiration to me and MANY artists who have crossed paths with her. I love the way that Cindy (her soul-mate and Paper Cowgirl co-founder) memorialized the weekend with her presence. It was heart felt and very much appreciated by all who knew her.

She was greatly missed but she was certainly there in spirit :)

I guess you could call it "Texas-sized" FUN as there are really no words to describe how much I enjoyed myself from the moment Sarah and I left Louisiana for our 6 hour journey to Paper Cowgirl.

Sarah is such a sweet friend and she's my travel buddy. She is my navigator, my singing partner, and my eyes that are looking out for junk at the end of driveways. I just love her to pieces.

As soon as we arrived at the hotel, we were greeted with so many hugs from friends. Just wonderful!

Meet and Greet was at The Dove's Nest in downtown Waxahachie. The antique store was filled with goodies and I was busy taking in the scenery while everyone was participating in their swaps.

Here is Sarah with her arms full AND she's even wearing some of the fabulous swap goodies...isn't she so cute?

I wish I had photos of the swaps...they were OVER THE TOP. The lighting in the room was terrible so you'll just have to trust me that they were fabulous! I'm sure you will see lots of photos while blog hopping...there were some really beautiful things created.

This cute pillow above really describes the weekend to a T so I'll try to keep this short and simple so I won't let out any privileged information secrets that may harm others! haha

My first class of the whole retreat was the Le Petite Boutique taught by Cindy Gilstrap of JunqueArt.

She's the cutest little thing and I was so happy to finally get the chance to meet her in person.

See the cute necklace I'm wearing? (that's me on the right just in case you didn't know). My travel partner Sarah handmade that for me out of clay! I love it! She made one for each of her roomies and I think one for each of her teachers too. Hell, she might have even made one for each of the staff members at the Hampton Inn & Suites...she's THAT sweet!   :)

Speaking of sweet, I had the pleasure of meeting and sitting next to Nancy Reeb...she has the sweetest heart I've ever seen!

Cindy's class kits were too cute, but I have to tell you...I didn't finish this project OR ANY OF THE FOUR class projects that I took over the weekend! I'm such a bad student. When I was young, I always had a "C" in conduct (sometimes worse).

Come on, you should know me by now...I talk to darn much and you know that I just want to play, have fun and enjoy the moment!  :)

Therefore, I can only show you the class kits and maybe a sample or two...please don't be mad at me because I had too much fun, okay?  ;)

The second class of the retreat was the Mixed Media Tags by Lisa McIlvain of Tarnished and Tattered.

This is an example of Lisa's beautiful work...she's amazing.

Let's just say the class was AWESOME!

And I'm sure it's safe to say that EVERYONE who took her class can say the same!!!!

This was my class kit waiting for me in my spot...

Lisa sewed a different burlap kit bag for each of us students and filled it with handmade goodies. Some were to use in class and some were for us to bring home as a token of her appreciation.

She taught us many of her famous techniques such as fabric transfers, clear transfers, burning fabric, working with resin and SO much more.

This was really like five classes, all rolled into ONE! She had everyone's full attention.

For her first time teaching, she was amazing!

When I walked into the class room, I nearly lost my breath. She had the whole front of the class decorated with the most vintage goodness I've even seen, all on one table!

  And it was ALL for us to use! She's such a sweetheart!

If you want to see more of her art, please go visit her blog and her online shop.

Lisa is also published in the newest issue of Somerset Studio that's due to come out on July 1st. It's a five page spread and awesome article about her beautiful bottles from her heart...it's a must read!

I only had two classes on Friday so after Lisa blowing my mind with all her techniques...I was ready for a drink!  :)

Friday night, we all went to eat at the Catfish Plantation.

The locals say it's haunted, but we didn't see or feel anything . The weather was terrible and the lights did blink but that was about it. I was ready to get my ghost on!!!!  But there was nothing except for the resident "fake" ghost. She was life-sized and very beautiful as she hung from the ceiling and over the top of the fireplace.

The only excitement that was above and beyond our Paper Cowgirl FUN of the evening was our waiter. He was just the hottest  most handsome young man...19 tattoos and all. Anne took a photo of the two of us...I hope she posts it soon so I can "steal" it from her. He was a cutie but he really needed to keep his mouth shut. He made all the ladies mad when he said that we were old enough to be his Mother.

TURN OFF!

NOTE: He was right about that and I tell ya, duck tape would have solved his only flaw :)

After dinner, sweet Charlene was kind enough to let us all pile up in her van and she took us shopping downtown to a couple of antique stores. They were fabulous as I contributed to the economy of Waxahachie once more :)

Here's a few sneak peeks of some awesome goodies...

just LOOK at this detail of this old sewing cabinet! augh!

I love the reflection of what I saw in the mirror of this beautiful old armoire. {sigh}

Too sweet!

I snagged this little quilted satin keeper :)))

I could go on and on...there was so much eye candy everywhere...even up high...

Dang I wish I was skinny! I love that shirt! It's so ME!

on that pitiful note...let's move on  ;( 

Saturday morning rolled around and I was a VERY bad girl. I missed my first class of the day with Mendy of Mendy Texas. It was a Photoshop digital art class and I'm sure it would have been SO  much fun. I'm already familiar with PS so it was no biggie but I really missed being with the girls.

So why did I play hookie then??????

Because of THE FAMOUS Cat Daddy and Debbie!!!!

This FABULOUS couple (whom I love the most in the whole wide world) called me and told me they were driving down to see me since I was so close!!! I met them in Round Top this spring and the rest is history. They are...Magical.with.junk!!!

We met in the lobby, had a fast (& I mean FAST) lunch, kissy kissy and then said goodbye. All in the blink of an eye.

But...ANY time with this couple is priceless. I'll take what I can get, when I can get it :)))

My last class of the day (& the retreat) was the Shabby Classy Necklace taught by Angela Berger of Filigree Moon. Dang I love this girl! She's plum crazy! Crazy Good!!!

Sadly, I didn't get a photo of her and I together :(

Her class kits were presented so awesomely in a beautiful cigar box with a cool little card...love it!

I love making jewelry and this class was so cool. We wrapped some wire around some BEAUTIFUL lace that Angela provided to us...totally awesome!

Here's Angela's beautiful example of the necklace we were to make...

Remember I told you that I didn't finish any projects from my classes, right?

Well, this one was no different. I was late for class AND I ate my TO GO lunch while Angela showed us her fabulous techniques. Thankfully, there is no detention at Paper Cowgirl. I would have really hated to be sent to Cindy's office, especially since this was my first time attending! You know how important first impressions are, right? haha

Hmmm...I wonder if they will let me go back though?  :)))

Well, that is it for Part One of Paper Cowgirl 2010.

Next up...Vendor Night!

It was FABULOUS!

I don't have many photos because I was too busy shopping but I do have enough photos to make you wish you were there!!!

~Stay tuned for the Vendor Night Photo Fest of Goodies~

(I'll slip it in between enjoying my week off from work!)

woooo hoooo! oops. I mean yyyeeee hhhaaaaawww!

:)