What a whirlwind I’ve enjoyed for the past two weeks. My friend Claire Hampton came to Seattle for a holiday following CHA. Originally it was to be a working holiday, with Claire teaching at several stores in the area. Schedules changed and the classes didn’t happen on this trip, so it turned into a complete holiday for her and me.
We spent nearly all of the time together creating books and cards, laughing and singing. We often sat around the table in my living room until very late into the night. We did make it to my studio a couple ot times, where we could have worked! What we did instead was haul materials to my place where we didn’t have to get out of our pajamas if that was our choice. Believe it or not that happened on several days. Today I will take it all back to my studio! It was worth it though.
I had given Claire a piano hinge book when I went to CHA in January. She made me promise to teach her how to make this book when she came in the summer. She not only made one but three piano hinge books. Time ran short and I did not take pictures of her books and have asked her to take them for me so I can post them here. Her books were spectacular, each of them.
We spent a day at my friend Robin’s house making another book. This one was made with a plastic envelope. This book was really quite fun,we liked it so much we went to the office supply store on the way home and bought some other plastic envelopes, with a different configuration and made two more books. There were two ‘play days’ also, hosted by another friend. Amy hosted one day at Lasting Memories in Lynnwood, where we made yet another book, this one with envelopes and papers from October Afternoon. She hosted another day at Friends where we were all treated to a ‘book’ kit. Everyone who wanted got to make a crown book. Mine is nearly done and I will post it later. We had loads of fun that day, thanks to Amy.
We had a bbq with my friends here at home on the day Claire arrived. They cooked steaks and made salads and desserts. We drank wine and sat around and laughed for hours. We did a lot of dining out during her stay and most of it was ‘up the hill’ at one of the local sushi restaurants. Claire loves sushi! I think we had it on nearly 9 occasions. Good thing I also like it! She even got sushi as a birthday gift from two people! Oh yes and then there were the many trips to the french bakery for olive bread, but that''s another story!
Oh yes, Claire had her birthday on the last day with me. So, we had another party. Kelly Anable graciously hosted the party on her beautiful deck. We had a pot luck, loads of food and a ‘green dragon’ cake for the birthday girl. No it was not a new type of sushi, but a novelty cake she wanted for her dessert. I’ve made a little slide show of the birthday party. We did make a ‘flat Jamie’, Claire’s new beau and brought him to the party. He is just everywhere. You will see…
The time went much too fast for me. I so enjoyed having Claire in my home. It is very quiet now after days of laughter. I will see her again soon as she will be back in January to teach classes before we are off to CHA again. Look for her classes at Friends, Art ‘n Soul and at Lasting Memories. In the meantime, sit back, relax and enjoy the view …
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