Italy 2014 Day Three

13 hours. We slept thirteen hours.

 

The last time I traveled to Europe was 23 years ago.

My age has doubled in that time.

I knew I would need at least 24 hours of transition but it turns out I need far more.

 

Disappointment. We missed breakfast.

We only had time to shower, pack and check out.

We had to travel to our destination of Orvieto that day so we had only the briefest time for a bite and a walk to the flea market.

Quickly bought three things.

 

Disappointment. Wanted more time...

 

The next 7 hours was difficult. We missed a train.

The train station was overwhelming and not helpful.

 Our bags were far too large and heavy for train travel.

 

We arrived at our destination frustrated, tired, hungry and in the dark,

but then...

 

this....

 

Italy 2014 Day Two

We arrive in Florence without having slept, drop our bags at the Hotel Helvetia-Bristol,

stumble out into the Italian world...

finding sunshine in the Piazza Della Repubblica.

 

Also cappuccinos there.

They are better in an outdoor café in Italy.

No, really.

In a daze at the Duomo.

Someone bought art supplies in a real Italian art store. Just ask her...

Lunch at the Piazza Della Signoria.  

Neptune and his fountain celebrate Italy's naval power.

 

He stands at the Palazzo Vecchio, built in the 1300s.

It was remodeled in 1540 as a palace for the Medici family patriarch Duke Cosimo I.

Courtyard of Palazzo Vecchio.

Next door is the Loggia della Signoria, built in 1382, full of sculptures in the open air.

The expressive Rape of the Sabine Women by Giambologna,

carved from a single block of marble in 1583.

And David.

This copy stands before Palazzo Vecchio,

the was original moved from here in 1873 to the Accedemia Gallery nearby.

 

 Florence loves their David.

As do we all, si?

 

to be continued...

I Said Yes...

When Devon called to say she and her workshop partner were considering The Creative Connection Event and would I like to go, I said "no." I cannot possibly leave in a week and a half for that. I am too responsible. I have too many people in the boat I keep afloat.

And then a YES happened...

So off I went to Minneapolis a couple of weeks ago. Devon had made all the plans, I only needed to pay and pack. I had the best time I may have ever had. I just took classes and shopped and visited and ate. No one to please. No one to wait for or on. Just me and my fun.

I busted out some gifts first...

I have figured out how much time I need alone. What I didn't fully realize how much I needed really must shake off the big girl attitude and just have fun.

For days on end.

I liked it.

I took a Folk Art painting class from Laurie Meseroll.

We started out with this naked plywood and materials.

After many, many layers, most of which looked like hell, until ultimately, like all good life stories, I was able to create this girl with her robin in only 3 hours.

There was Betz White's Felted Wool ornament class.

She is adorable and so is felted wool.

A kit, an instructor and time is such a luxury.

Ruth Rae taught the Family Keepsake Album class.

My tool rolls...

Supplies for my album...

Ruth's act of binding...

My album is a work in progress. It features all the ladies that built me.

For now, Ruth and me...

I was not as interested in the Panels regarding marketing, Etsy and blogging so I opted for additional classes with Shea Fragoso and Debbie Murray, of course. I took a Display Your Creativity Necklace and Keepsake Class.

Also this Art and Coronation class. I had not been much on glitter prior to this. But this glass glitter has such a weight and brilliance. The process of pouring it over the pieces with a spoon was very pleasant.

So very pretty...

I shopped and shopped. There are so many pictures of shopping. Stay tuned for that.

For now, looks like I might follow these ladies anywhere...



Tennessee Magpie

In keeping with a recent  post where I talked about my admiration for Rebecca Sower, I continue, in a sense, here with a recent trip to Tennessee. My husband's mother lives there and we've visited a few times. I absolutely love Tennessee. It is familar to Oklahomans in that the pace is like home and the people are friendly. However, it is greener and rockier. I just love it.

Three things were nice about this trip. First we got to see the new house that Phyllis and her boyfriend built. Boyfriend? Partner? Husband-ish? Gorgeous place with sunrise over the ridge. Phyllis is really a pleasure to be around. We just don't see each other often enough, not even every year. If I didn't like her we would see her constantly right? She has such great personal style as well, especially when it comes to jewelry. She isn't afraid to wear big artistic pieces. Lovely.

Second good thing is that when we got there I was just coming off my Silver Bella experience and two Rebecca Sower classes. Knowing that she lives in Tennessee, I kept thinking we were traveling the same roads she does. I love Tennessee. She loves Tennessee. It does explain her sweet, clean ways, really, to see her home state. I looked in all her windows, but she never answered the door...

The third great thing about this trip was going to antique stores I'd never been too. Also, it was good to be flying with the concomitant limited space for purchases. That helps inhibit my impulse control issue and limits how much I drag home. While there, I started buying buttons. Like jewelry, you can collect many, many buttons and they do not take up much space. A brilliant new obsession. Here is a calendar plate, another obsession, with earrings, another obession, and buttons that I found on our day. Look, travel size!

Phyllis gave me some buttons once she saw what a freak I was being for them. She let me look through hers and take what I wanted. I had to use such restraint not to just take the whole box.

I mean, I liked Phyllis before, but now...are you kidding me?

Finally, I did realize there was a fourth good thing. The taffy. Also, I did not go to nor look in the windows of the Sower home. She won't tell me where she lives...odd.