Bye Bye Now

In just a few hours, I will be off to Art and Soul in Asilomar, Ca for four days. I am going with two of my art buddies, Riki Schumacher and Stephani Gorman. We are so looking forward to the artistic break and spending time together. I will be spending three days with Nina Bagley in her Mystorian Necklace and Book class....can't wait! (The photo above will be on the front cover of my book.) What a joy to spend special time with other artistic souls, to laugh, play, absorb the healing energy of nature, do what I love to do (create) and learn new things.

I'll be sure to post photos of my Asilomar experience upon my return. In the meantime, I wish you all a wonderful Memorial Day weekend and super week ahead.

Doing what you love is the cornerstone of having abundance in your life!

Tootles

Diana

Robin's Fall Collection

Come along with me on a photo shoot featuring Robin Kaplan's Fall Collection. The day of the final shoot is preceded by many hours/days of planning, designing, dyeing, fittings, meetings, gathering of essentials for the models, finding the perfect location, arranging for lunch and snacks, developing a timeline, and praying for good weather.  Well, it all came together.  For those of you who don't know, this is the third season I have had the pleasure of working with talented clothing designer, Robin Kaplan, as her stylist for her photo shoots.  Being a stylist involves assisting Robin in putting together her collection into outfits for each of the models, suggesting possible additions, designing jewelry

to go with each outfit, being a coach for the models, dressing the models the day of the shoot, and doing their hair and makeup for each wardrobe change.....and, oh yes, assisting the photographer any way I can.  It definitely is an adrenalin rush the day of the shoot.......especially this year when we had two models instead of one. 

Meet beautiful Tiana.  This was Tiana's first time to model.  Her mother was a model so she had some help from her I am sure.  Isn't she lovely?  And Robin's clothes are divine...I just LOVE how I feel when I wear Robin's creations.....so very romantic and very much a woman. Robin garment dyes each individual piece by hand and uses only the most luscious and finest of fabrics, most from Italy where she once lived. 

This, of course, is sweet Ashley.....and, no, she is not my daughter as many of you have asked. This is Ashley's third season to model for Robin and what a joy it is to see her "work it". Modeling just comes natural to her and the "attitude" of this beauty is non-stop....the camera loves her.  The photographer has to really work at focusing on showing Robin's clothes in shots without Ashley stealing the scene.....she can't help it poor dear.   Colleen Rosenthal of Rosenthal Photography was, once again, the photographer extraordinaire.  Colleen is simply amazing, I love to watch her work.

The two of them worked so well together.  Look at these yummy faux fur pieces, Robin added for the fall....Luv them!   The location where we shot was so very perfect....a piece of property way out in the country in and around an ancient barn and surrounding lemon groves.  The entire day was just pure fun, fun, fun.  Robin made arrangements to have lunch catered which was excellent, the entire group of women involved (there were seven of us) worked so very well together......pure creative synergy.   If you would like to see more photos, please visit my flickr album by clicking on one of the flashing photos in my Flickr Badge at the right.  (So sorry I just couldn't get a direct link to my Robin Kaplan Set to work).  After you get to my flickr photos and go to the main "Diana Frey's Photostream" page, look at the Sets at the right.  Click on Robin Kaplan Fall 2009 set and it will take you to all of the photos of the shoot.  Enjoy!

Tootles

Diana

Mother's Day

-Me and my Mom-

I wanted to share a poem that my son, Jeremy, wrote for me when he left for college many years ago which I still cherish to this day.

For Mom

Parting curtains of natural

and self-induced amnesia,

there are images in my mind

of years spent with you.

Sifting through memories,

like picking through a shoe box filled with old greeting cards--

each slight cover triggering nostalgia, contentment,

or regret--

each memory is rich,

a card made sacred

by the life preserved there.

You've been at my side

as life's path has swayed and buckled,

tossing us around like an endlessly rolling wave.

We've inhabited little white houses

near rumbling train tracks

and driven a yellow Honda Civic in the floggy gloom

or scorching heat of the valley.

We've toured classic Victoria

and walked the beaches of obscure Bowser.

We've watched the flickering magic of movies

and witnessed the drama of our own family.

Trips, talks, days, and meals

all shared;

I sometimes not realizing that

we were having more than just a communion of proximity.

You've accompanied me during

the anguish of indecision,

the elation of success,

the insecurity wrought by failure,

and the ecstasy of revelation.

Through difficult years,

darkened by confused anger,

and in illuminated times of joy,

you've been here.

As I have tested my wings

you have allowed wild flapping,

unregulated flight,

even if it meant getting clipped by an errant wing.

Even when I pull away from you in frustration,

my soul is groping back to you for comfort.

I turn and embrace you as a confused boy;

I turn and leave you as a searching young man.

And someday I will turn again

and see that embracing and leaving are almost the same thing.

One reveals a need that's met in the safety of a hug.

While the other uncovers a need,

met by the assurance of a "Goodbye."

There is no moving out.

For there is no "out" in love.

There is only an everlasting "here".

Wishing all of you moms out there a wonderful Mother's Day!

Diana

xoxo

Thank you

Sometimes life forces us to hit the "pause" button and take time out.

As a result of a recent shoulder injury and doctor's recommendation to clear my calendar of responsibilities giving myself time to heal, I made the difficult decision to postpone the Twisted Sistah Choker class that I just announced here on my blog a few days ago. In doing so, I contacted everyone on my mailing list of the change this morning. During the last few hours, my mailbox has been hit with many, many notes from sweet people wishing me well and a speedy recovery. I am so very touched!!!!!! Thank you all for your concern and understanding. I treasure your friendships and support of my artful adventures.

Hugs

Diana

My Feathered Friends

I'd like you to meet some of my "Feathered Friends" who came to play last Saturday in my "Feathered Friends" class. My friend, Riki Schumacher, and I team taught this class....our first adventure together.......I am hoping the first of many classes that we will team teach together.

We had such a great bunch of ladies join us for the day. Riki taught beginning PMC techniques and a lot of her special tricks in working with this fine silver. It was so facinating and rewarding for me to see each student's project take on their own personality. Even though most students chose to design a birdhouse, each had their individual traits as you can see in the photos below.

I shared my wire wrap nest technique and orchid vine wrap beads. Riki and I were so proud of the creations that took flight. Thank you all for choosing to spend your day with us. It is such a joy for me to share what I have a passion for......and I learn so much from each and everyone of you. Hope you will join us for yet another class.

For those of you who would like to take this class, Riki and I are offering it again on September 26th on San Juan Island (Washington) in the Pacific Northwest. Please check under the "Teaching" section of my blog for details. There are still seats available and we would love to have you join us.

Tootles

Diana