{me & flora bowley, a story in nine parts}

part I

{tinniegirl} attends her first art retreat, An Artful Journey in Northern California, in Feb 2010 and meets both Mrs Spotts and Beth Nicholls of Do What You Love.  {You can actually read more about Beth's story over on CRESCENDOh at the moment}

Image credit: Flora Bowley

part II
Mrs Spotts blogs about the incredible work of artist Flora Bowley.  {tinniegirl} is completely inspired.

part III
{tinniegirl} begins to follow the blog and work of Flora Bowley and sees her teaching workshops at art retreats across the USA.  {tinniegirl} thinks that she would very much like to attend one of her Bloom True workshops one day

part IV
{tinniegirl's} friend Beth Nicholls announces her amazing art retreat to be held in Yorkshire, England in May 2011.  Flora Bowley is one of the teachers.  {tinniegirl} seriously ponders the notion of traveling to England for the retreat as a celebration of her 40th birthday.

 How amazing does this retreat space look?

part V
{tinniegirl} comes to the sad realisation that she won't be able to attend the retreat in England.  As much as she wants to support her friend's new business venture and attend a 3 day workshop with Flora Bowley, she just doesn't have the financial or emotional means to pull it off at this time.  {tinniegirl} resolves to attend one of Flora's workshops one day.  When the time is right.

part VI
Donna Heart announces on her blog that Flora Bowley will be teaching a workshop in Western Australia in March 2011.  {tinniegirl} squeals with delight, does a happy dance, and even though finances still aren't ideal, determines that she will find a way to attend.

Photo credit: Flora Bowley

part VII
{tinniegirl} does further research and discovers that Flora will also teach a workshop south of Sydney in Jervis Bay in April 2011.

part VIII
{tinniegirl} registers for Flora Bowley's east coast workshop as her 40th birthday gift.{OMG!!!!}

part IX
{tinniegirl's} heart sings and she thanks the universe for bringing her dreams to her doorstep.