I cannot believe it is June already. For the last month or so I have been enjoying some down time. I accomplished a lot last year, developed a new collection of stamps (She Sells Sea Shells), a new line of dies (Studio Assistants), developed a new class for my workshop at Assemblage Studio last fall, wrote an article for Somerset Studio, and developed a workshop, Bonjour Madame, that I am teaching in Paris this fall. Oh, and the Paris workshop necessitated the development of a whole new web site. And, those are just the highlights. Is it any wonder that I was a little tired come spring? Then my computer retired unexpectedly and needed to be replaced, and I decided it was time to make the switch from PC to Mac, and that necessitated updating all my outdated software. S-t-r-e-s-s-f-u-l! I guess you could say I hit a rough patch. But, never under estimate the value of good old fashioned sleep and little down time, and viola . . . happy summer everyone! I feel like my old self again. My husband and I have a nice trip to Colorado Springs planned for later this summer, and then we are off to Paris in the fall. With the fog of exhaustion lifted, life is looking pretty good again.
With the Paris workshop just a few months away, it is getting pretty much my full attention right now and I am starting to build up a bit of excitement!! I just discovered this fantastic video on YouTube of a Bateaux Mouches night cruise on the Seine, which is how we are spending our first night in Paris. I wanted us to spend our first night having a relaxed dinner somewhere with a great view, and it doesn't get any better than this! There are ten in our group, which is the perfect size (I think). It's a lovely group of artisans and friends. Living and journaling in the intimate setting of a Paris apartment, I feel very fortunate to have such a nice group to share it with. Merci beaucoup for sharing in and supporting the dream of a Paris workshop. I am also looking forward to meeting another group of artisans while in Paris, actually a spin off from the Bonjour Madame waiting list, will be joining us one afternoon for art and lunch at the Musee D'Orsay for lunch one afternoon.
For those of you who could not join me in Paris, I wanted to share this find. Actually, I didn't find it but received from a friend the gift of Art Girl's Guide to Paris, a lovely little self-published tome with lots of useful tips, inspiration and photos by Carmi Cimicata. She also has a blog with loads of photos from her visits to Paris.
Well that's it for now. It feels good to be back at it and feeling inspired to post to my blog.









Thank you so much for mentioning my book! I am so glad Lana asked me to send it to a fellow Paris lover!
Posted by: carmi | 09 June 2011 at 07:01 PM
WOW, you have been super busy. So how are you liking the Mac? We are going to get one for Miss B before she heads off to college. I think when I need a new one I'll be going that way as well. Too funny you are going to Colorado Springs as I had family that lived there. My grandparents and aunt/uncle/cousins moved there from FL when I was just a kid. I always remember that my grandma like being able to see Pike's Peak from her kitchen window. Only got to visit a few times while they were there, but liked it. Hope you have a lot of fun!!
Posted by: Barbara | 10 June 2011 at 08:41 AM
life is like a roller coaster..hang on tight and enjoy the ride..yes! it often leaves you breathless..but there is much appreciation and joy when you share the journey w/ your devoted fans.
Posted by: lana | 10 June 2011 at 09:55 AM
perfect Catherine.
You really know how to
keep it creatively interesting,luv c
Posted by: cOnNie | 10 June 2011 at 01:45 PM
I am so glad you are back to blogging again! I have missed your posting on what has been going on in the Character Construction land! Welcome back!
Posted by: jackie | 11 June 2011 at 11:34 PM
Catherine,I am so excited for you and wow "Paris" !!
Not long now,very best wishes..
It will be a blast .. Amazing moments ahead. Hugs to you. xoxx
Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Laura Haviland | 25 June 2011 at 11:15 PM
Catherine, The movie Republic Of Love with Bruce Greenwood, which has mermaids in it, is again playing in my area, New York State, on Sat. 7/9/11 @ 10:55 PM, and again 0n Sun. 7/10/11 @ 2:35 AM on Channel 13 WNET.I hope you can program it. Happy Independence Day, July 4th!
Posted by: Gabrielle Wanner | 30 June 2011 at 10:07 AM