-By Barbara Martin
When it comes to close friends, I’m in awe of Kathy Curotto, former Style Editor at Home Companion. Kathy’s legendary for her wide circle of friends…new friends, old friends, friends from her hometown, from college, friends from when she was a young mother and many friends who were business associates first and are now fast friends.
As Kathy developed her projects for the April 2010, ME Home Companion Workshops, she realized that to make each one perfect she wanted to first test them with her friends. For years she has had lunches, dinners, and girls’ weekends with three of the funniest and most generous women, all of whom had daughters in the same grade school class as Kathy’s Libby (Libby Curotto’s wedding was featured in August September 2008).
Just before Thanksgiving, Kathy invited Ann, Tinker, Alice and yes, me for an afternoon of crafting. As we arrived at Kathy’s home, the first thing you saw was her kitchen island laden with crafting treats of every variety. There were so many fabulous baubles, trims and papers, I was dazzled. Kathy described the Award Ribbons (click this link and then scroll down to Kathy) and said we could use anything in any way our creative spirit dictated. Of course, she gently guided anyone who was confused about colors, patterns and textures.
Take a peek at the photos from an afternoon of great fun at Kathy’s.
TA-DA! Here they are all finished:
Barbara Martin is the former Executive Editor of Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion Magazine and is now heading up the new MEHC Workshops along with Mary. You can meet Barbara and Kathy in St. Louis at the first ever MEHC Workshop next April.
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Invite me next time… it looks like a major good time! Love studying the photos!
Comment by Katie — December 15, 2009 @ 4:18 pm
How fun!!! This makes me want to call up some of my friends for a crafting party!
Comment by Genevieve Gail — December 15, 2009 @ 5:47 pm
That has got to be the coolest use of a road map. Ever. Enjoyed the photos. Studied everything. I leave inspired, with visions of…
Comment by Susy Kysely Thompson — December 16, 2009 @ 2:50 am
beautiful! thank you so much for sharing!!
Comment by maryann — December 16, 2009 @ 4:17 am
How clever! I always check in with ME when my muse is lazy.
Comment by Jo Johnston — December 16, 2009 @ 7:19 am
Holy cow on the boatloads of supplies! Looks like a perfect way to spend a day. Can’t wait to join Kathy and the rest of you next April!
Comment by jen duncan — December 16, 2009 @ 3:53 pm
Oh my, look at all those goodies to work with. That would have been fun. Wish I could make your workshop…maybe next time.
Comment by Lynn — December 17, 2009 @ 8:22 pm
oh what fun to craft & create with friends. Great inspiration. Thanks for sharing.
Comment by Terri Conrad — December 18, 2009 @ 11:03 am
This looks like a perfect way to spens time with friends. Reminds me of drawing clothes and paper dolls with my friend Alice back when we were kids.
Comment by Pat Nagy — December 18, 2009 @ 6:25 pm
Too cool!! Love those what you did with such ordinary household stuff!! Award Ribbons for everyone!!!
Comment by Scott — December 18, 2009 @ 10:07 pm
What fun to walk in and see all those play things and then let your minds run wild. It is like big girl play time.
Comment by Marilyn — December 19, 2009 @ 12:28 pm
Looks like a wonderful time! What a way to spend a day!!:o)
Smiles…
Beverly
Comment by tea time and roses — December 19, 2009 @ 3:55 pm
will there be a workshop in Texas — perhaps Dallas??
Comment by valarie — December 21, 2009 @ 9:19 am
Awesome decorations! Will definitely have to try these out!
Comment by Claire Selby — December 21, 2009 @ 12:16 pm
Please bring the magazine back!!!!
Comment by Patti S — December 23, 2009 @ 10:54 am
Crafting parties….what a great concept. I think we’ll be seeing more and more of them. Women love to create!
Comment by Mitzi Curi — December 23, 2009 @ 4:40 pm
SOOOO cute. thanks for sharing these.
Comment by Lynne — December 26, 2009 @ 8:57 pm
Dear Barbara,
I can’t imagine a better way to spend an afternoon! The awards are wonderful.
We are packing up and moving to China before the workshops in April. I am so sad I will miss the festivities.
I would love for you and the gang to come visit and I will take you to Chinese junk stores and flea markets
Your Pal,
Linda
Comment by Linda Crispell — December 28, 2009 @ 9:11 am
All the colors inspire me to work on the Memory Album of my “baby” sister who went to heaven last August. She was one of your pals and I see her picture whenever I get on your website. We bought each other ME cards and gifts. Her daughters gave me your ME umbrella that she had. What a terrific memory gift! Thanks Mary for keeping us connected!
Comment by Mary Haddad — December 29, 2009 @ 11:23 pm
Hey Mary, I love these paper creations. I miss your magazine!, so it’s fun to find your blog and see what ventures you are into now. I’ll be keeping in touch. Sherry
Comment by Sherry Loomis — January 7, 2010 @ 12:09 pm
these are adorable! just wonderful!
what a way to spend the day… I was lucky enough to meet Kathy a few years ago when she came to drooz studio to do a story for MEHC. mary..
I’m enjoying the blog and will visit often!
Comment by shelly kennedy — January 15, 2010 @ 7:44 pm
I have taught classes using ME papers and the results were amazing. We built little houses with little furniture using ME papers, cards, cut outs from magazines, what ever we had in our stash of treasures. Crafting is best done with a group of buds!
Comment by Briar Picchietti — January 22, 2010 @ 8:49 pm