Surprise!

Can't believe it but I finally broke down and managed to create my blog. I have had a few who have been encouraging me to do this. Thank you Missy Michelle Ward (on right in photo) -- *applause* *applause* -- now I can participate in her "Crusades" on her Street Team blog. Love that artist! I had the wonderful opportunity to take a workshop she did in Wisconsin this past spring called "The Painted Page." What a great few days at a wonderful retreat, Valley Ridge Art Studio. Kathy and Bill were the greatest hosts. Michelle's blog has been an inspiration to many individuals around the world. If you haven't checked it out -- you need to. You can find her at http://michelleward.typepad.com/michelleward/ -- She was one of the first blogs I started reading and was totally amazed with her art work. I ordered a "house" kit from her, got all excited, laid out pages, and, never finished it. However, this little honeysuckle Okie girl is gonna finish it and will show it right here!

Digressing here: I have tried to get published in Somerset Studio magazine for a number of years but have not had the type of art work they were looking for. I have had a cards published in Take Ten and Stampers Sampler but Somerset was the big goal, the big dream, the big whatever. When Stampers announced their turquoise challenge last year I thought -- why not - I will do a "bag book" and submit. Well (do you know where this is going?), Stampers mailed their summer magazine out in June with all the turquoise stuff in it BUT not mine. Yes, I kept waiting to hear that it would be published. Nothing like having a little faith - oh yeah. At that point, I decided to retire that dream and concentrate on other stuff.....

As I slumped away into the sunset (slumping here) lost in thought, my Somerset magazine arrived and on page 112 there was my turquoise challenge submission. HUH? I am not questioning anything - I am just so happy to have finally managed to reach one of my goals! ; ) I did the snoopy dance. I am still in hog heaven here. Thank you Somerset! Thank you Somerset! OK, this is way too long, i am way too winded, i am way too excited, and so in closing all I can say -- is have a honeysuckle-kind-of-mornin! My world smells sweet in the honeysuckle breeze.