May is here! This is a big holiday in Europe, honoring all working people. I remember a little girl selling Lillies of the Valley on a street corner in France. It also signals the beginning of the summer and vacation season and I know that my busy summer starts now.

The first big event this month is the upcoming East Asheville Studio Tour, a self-guided event that offers open studios on the East side of Asheville, Swannanoa, Black Mountain, Old Fort and Fairview. I am blessed to be a part of Studio 208 with Fred and Lynda Feldman in Black Mountain. Check out www.EastStudioTour.com for maps and details.

May 12 brings the annual Fiber Day celebration at the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Go to www.craftguild.com for details on Fiber Day and the Fashion Show on Mother's Day.

The following week will keep me busy with rehearsals for the Asheville Symphony's Heritage Songs for our May 20th. concert. Please go to:www.ashevillesymphony.org/concerts/chorus for more details on the musical part of my life.

I will close out May with a Lace Wrap workshop at our local Michaels Arts and Crafts store, where I teach regular classes on Wednesday morning and evenings. On Thursdays I am teaching a class at the Center for Creative Retirement at UNC and next month a class at the Asheville Arboritum. It's great to raise a new crop of exited students and thanks to our nice vacation in Florida I am ready to roar!

"I do what I love and I love what I do"