I went to a garden party...

I saw that a lawn/garden scene was scheduled for the next Paint 'N Party event, and I was very interested in attending.  As it's a busy week for most folks, the crowd was much smaller, and the artist Jon had time to give individual attention to everyone, which was great.  I learned a couple new techniques, and that was interesting!  So, here's the latest painting as it progressed.

That's it, from the Painting and Partying Wyoming Woman.

Waiting for sunshine

The flowers are so heavy with raindrops and dew, they too are anxious for sunshine! The Columbines haven't quite lifted their heads yet to reveal their gorgeous blooms.

Blue Flax is waiting for sunshine too.

So, while it's been too wet to be outside...well, it's just perfect for knitting inside!!  I finished a hat that I am giving away.  It certainly was a good way to knock down the stash by one ball...especially this single ball of yarn with about 175 yds!  The pattern is called Antler Hat (a freebie from Ravelry).  It has these cables that look like antlers...very masculine, eh?

Yet another art class?

Yes, indeed, three of us traveled 60 miles for another painting/partying class.  The teacher/artist was from Casper.  Artisan Alley hosts these painting classes in Casper very regularly, and then they take their show on the road and provide classes in various towns across the state once a month. 

This is my painting.

And here are my artsy friends, Jane and Connie, with their paintings.

Had a great day, having a lovely drive, tasty lunch, fun class, and a bit of shopping. 

 I should have taken a picture of the following, but I didn't: We went into an antique shop, and they had a rare square-shaped grand piano that dates back to Abe Lincoln's presidency.  The piano has quite a story, and it quite remarkable that it found its way to WY where it got lots of tender care and rebuilding.  If you asked the proprietor, you could play it.  I asked, and she said, "Yes, please do."  So, I got to play a piano that dates back to the mid 1800's.  Cool.  I'll get a picture next time.

Soggy Sunday

All this rain is so uncharacteristic.  Love the moisture.  Not so fond of the muddy roads!

If you didn't know better, you couldn't imagine a whole mountain range, which is completely socked in by rain clouds.  The foothills and tall peaks are rarely out of sight. 

Recital time

Last Friday I hosted a recital for all my private music students.  All but two students were able to attend and perform.  I was thinking I'd need seating for 40; but as it turned out, it was more like 60.  We were scrambling for anything to sit on!  It was a tight fit in the recital room!  Fortunately, we had plenty in the refreshments department and didn't run out.  Jane made the cutest sugar cookies, and I got a picture of a couple "notes," although she had also made little guitars (so cute).

I was too busy to take pictures, so these couple will have to do.  It all went well.  Most of the students are young, and this was their first recital.  It's so cute to see them give their first formal performance!  Love it. 

Paintin' and partyin'

Once again I signed up for a Paint 'N Party event.  This painting was so popular, a second party has been scheduled to accommodate another 100 painters.  

The painting started out like this.

Then we added the silhouetted hills.

And eventually... the trees, rocks, and final details...

Famed antler arches

Here in Wyoming, the four antler arches in the town square of Jackson Hole are famed photo ops. 

Home on the Range

Yesterday, I drove my friend to Jane to an appointment in Jackson Hole, WY.  I never tire of the scenery going over Togwotee Pass and into Teton County.  On the drive, we saw deer, antelope, buffalo, and elk.  We didn't stop to try photographing the elk, but the buffalo were so close to the
 road, it was much too tempting to pass by.

 I even got out of the car to take photos, and although several tourists were doing the same thing, the buffalo could have cared less; they seemed very intent on grazing on the fresh grass.  Look at that big 'ol boy on the right!  Their hides were looking scruffy since they are losing their winter coats.

For lunch, Jane saw buffalo sloppy joes on the menu.  Why not make it the theme of the day?  Oh man, the sandwich was very good.  Add a cup of homemade soup and lemon water...and it's a perfect lunch.  We ate in the historic cabin that's been transformed into Sweetwater Deli Restaurant.  Have you eaten there?  I'd recommend it!

The storm clouds moved in as we were departing Jackson Hole, so I missed the opportunity to photograph the Teton peaks...but the canyons below are pretty dramatic too.

Wool in a Tea Cup

I continued "tweaking" my little fairy gardens on Sunday since I had all the wool out anyway. 

I need to take more time getting some pictures. A better background is in order; I got in a hurry.  And...I will probably do a little more tweaking on the gardens.  I need to look away...and then look with a fresh eye.

As someone mentioned in a comment, these would make good pin cushions, and indeed they would.  I can say that they certainly hold needle-felting needles quite well.

Needle-felting Gnomes

Our local fiber guild held a retreat on Saturday...and what a perfect day it was to be inside.  Yes, another rainy day.  When it's dreary outside, tend to your wool and needles!  My duties for the day were to teach a morning and an afternoon needle-felting class.

The morning class made needle-felted sheep.  We failed to line up all the sheep for a photo shoot, but you can see a couple of them here.  Rachel's Gnome started transforming into a lady as she began putting on the facial features, so she just went for it, adding long hair and a basket of yarn.  So creative!  And cute as can be!

Above you can see the rest of the afternoon class's needle-felted Knitting Gnomes.  The gals did a fantastic job!  They all made knitting needles out of toothpicks and beads, and they will finish "the look" by rolling up a ball of yarn from their stash for the Gnome to hold.

We're seeing spring colors...

The trees are leafing out...and in town the crab apple trees are blooming.  The pink blossoms are so beautiful and such wonderful eye candy after a long winter season.  In my yard, all the trees are either leafed out, or are showing green buds that are quickly emerging.  Some green fields are showing up in the valley.  Farmers are busy planting.

The bees have found the yellow blooms on the Caragana shrubs.  It seems theses blossoms arrived instantly, the moment the rain stopped and the sun began to shine.

Felting in a cup

Felting this little English cottage in a cup has been a fun challenge.  It's still a work in progress, but I haven't decided what else to add...yet.  I'm thinking...

Fiber Time

When it was overcast and rainy outside, I had some good fiber time.  Sock #1 is almost to the toe.  And the toe always seems to go quickly. Then, I can cast on sock #2; getting to the halfway mark on a pair is a good feeling! I am enjoying this Dragonfly pattern even more that on the first pair I made. I'm not sure why... perhaps because it's a lacy look that doesn't take every ounce of concentration!

A little plumper robin was needle-felted to sit on the eggs in the nest.  I put wire legs and feet on the smaller robin, and this one stands nicely.  However, the legs on both birds are more cosmetic than structural, so one has to be gentle when handling them.  These have been made and sent off to Casper, where I will do a needle-felting class at the end of May.