Inside the Bubble

So many classes...so little time.....

Yes, so many classes, so little time, but, I can always MAKE time in my schedule for classes/events like these!

FIrst off....this lovely friend of mine,  Kim  Hesson, will be in Orange County (she lives in Arizona), teaching a class at Oasis, next Thursday night, July 16th.  Here are a couple sneak peeks of the project, but it looks absolutely adorable and I am already signed up! She had me at the wood pedestal alone!  Won't you join me?  We are going to have a blast!

 

 

Next, a little birdie told me that this Friday, July 10th, the event planner extraordinaire, Kim Caldwell, will be opening up registration for her next event in September, with a trio of teachers that will be out of this world! Run, don't walk, over to her blog for the details....if you have never attended one of her events, you are in for a treat!  Don't wait too long to sign up, though, as her events have been known for selling out in a day or two!

 

and last, but certainly NOT least, my friend, the ever talented Rebecca Gawryl is teaching a class, also at Oasis, where we are going to learn to needle felt, along with other mixed media projects in an album.  This class is on Saturday, July 25th.  Won't you join me for this class too?  You know you want to! Just look at this adorable album cover that YOU will be needle felting!

 

So as you can see, I have my plate full with creativity in the upcoming months, not to mention Silver Bella coming up in November.   Unfortunately, Silver Bella, is sold out for this year, but the three classes/events above are not. Hope to see you there...we are going to have just TOO much fun!

Happy Birthday America!

 

Wishing everyone a very Happy Independence Day!  We are so blessed to live in this country with the freedoms we have.  I want to send a big thank you to the troops that are defending our freedom and to the families of our servicemen and women for the sacrifices that they endure on a daily basis!

Be safe and have fun this weekend!

(Photo courtesy of vagabondfcr on Flickr)

Rak'd

 

I just wanted to share with you a "Random Act of Kindness" that I received today in the mail.  I was working away at my desk when our mail was distributed and after opening up a manila envelope, which usually contained signed contracts and other "boring stuff", I was pleasantly surprised by this lovely "Little Red Riding Hood" book, accompanied by a cute handmade card.

What a kind person Frances was to think to pop this adorable book in the mail to me. I met Frances at Scrapbook Oasis and have chatted with her during a few classes.  She was at a garage sale, couldn't resist this cute book and then, after reading my blog and seeing my love for vintage, decided to take the time out of her busy day to send it to me.  I know you must be thinking, why is she going "on and on" about this, but, it truly touched me.  In this day of hectic schedules, stress, tension over finances, lost jobs, etc., for someone to take the time out of their busy day to do this, is just such a blessing.  Thank you again Frances for touching my heart and I promise this sweet little girl will adorn an altered piece of art in the near future.

Artistic Affaire Printemps

 

Yesterday was Kim Caldwell's Artistic Affair Printemps in Los Angeles.  As always, the event was flawlessly planned with every last detail lovingly attended to.  Here are a few pictures of the room, tablescapes and vignettes that were displayed when we arrived...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our hostess, Kim and her lovely mother, Liz.

 

Our first class was with the adorable Amy Powers.  We made one of her infamous "Sugarville" items... a "Home Sweet Home" wreath.  We arrived at our tables to find our supplies packaged in a sweet bakery box.  I loved the project and can't wait to make apply the same techniques to another wreath...maybe with a holiday theme.

 

 

Here are a couple of pictures of my completed wreath.

 

 

Next up (after a yummy lunch and some shopping with the vendors - more details on that to follow!) was the Pique Assiette Box mosaic project with Michelle Legler.  This was my first time doing mosaic, and once you got  the hang of cutting the china pieces, it was a lot of fun.  Our table all donned our glasses (or sunglasses) for protection, as the shard of china were flying!!  No major injuries to report....a couple of cuts that required "Elmo" bandaids, but that's about it!  Here is a pic of my tablemate, Tammra, diligently working on cutting her china.

 

..and my finished project.  Not too bad for a rookie!  Oh, and the gorgeous boxes were handmade by Michelle...what a rockstar!

 

 

Our last class was with the ever adorable Kristen Robinson.  We created a Les Belles Fleur Chandelier using gorgeous ribbons, tulle, vintage photos, lace, ledgers, etc.  It is "still a work in project" so you will have to wait patiently for a week or so until I can complete the item and post pictures!!

The day was full of fun, friendship (both old and new friends), laughter and creativity.  I was seated at Table 7 with six lovely ladies.  Jody was celebrating her birthday with her two daughters, Tammra and Heather and we were joined by another mother/daughter duo of Cheryl and Brea.  What delightful people and I thoroughly enjoyed our time together, sharing stories, laughing and the sharing of creativity.  Here are a few pictures from the day of friends, old and new...

Maija attended from Arizona.  So good to see you Maija!

 

My tablemates.  I had so much fun with you all!

 

The "Cheryl's"   :)

 

The lovely Christine Rose Elle with the birdhouse she received in one of the swaps (Swap pictures to follow later)

 

Maija and Valerie.

 

Jenny Morgan and her swap parter, Amy.

 

Well, this post could go on and on, but I need to wrap it up for today.  I will post more pictures of the swaps and my other project later. I would just like to thank Kim, again, for another "fantabulous"  event.  I can't wait for the next one!  Let me leave you with a picture of my yummy mosaic cupcake I purchased from Michelle Legler. She is so dang talented!

Things that make me smile! :)

I just wanted to share a few "random" things that are making me "smile" lately....

 

1.  Due to a change in my schedule this upcoming weekend (and the misfortune of someone who had to withdraw from the event), I get to attend Kim Caldwell's An Artistic Affaire Printemps.  I am SO excited to take classes from Amy Powers, Kristen Robinson and Michelle Legler. Thank you, Kim, for graciously allowing the "substitution". I will definately post pictures next week!

 

2. Having fun tonight making packages from an old quilt square for teacher gifts.

 

3. My birdcage and my new pink vase (from Anthropologie) with my favorite bird created by Joy of Vintage Rabbit.

 

4. My vintage glass hummingbird feeder.  I just love watching the hummingbirds from my kitchen window!

5. Lastly, my birdhouse, made from an old coffee can. 

In this world of unemployment, financial stresses and world unrest, sometimes we just need to take a moment to appreciate the "little things" around us that brighten our day.  May you take a moment to find the little things that make YOU smile!

Completed!!!

 

Isn't it a good feeling to finish a class book within a week or so of the class?  I'm famous for stashing unfinished projects and never taking the time to get back to them.  I took the "Vintage Vanity" mini book class from Sandy Navarro (one of my Silver Bella roomies this year, I might add) at Oasis last Friday night. I loved learning to emboss using the Ten Second Studio metal....I feel an order for supplies coming on! (tee hee) It was such a fun, girly book, that I decided I needed to get it done.  So, thanks to the basketball playoffs, I set up my table in the family room and worked away this week while rooting on the Lakers, and voila....here it is!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I believe she does have a few kits left, so check out her blog.  Can you keep a secret?  I think she may be working on another class for summer, real soon!  Enjoy your Memorial Weekend!

Glitterfest

 

This morning, Jackie and I headed over to the first (hopefully, annual) Glitterfest.  It was held in Old Town Tustin and these are the adorable decorations that greeted us when we arrived.

 

 

They had a table when you entered to "sign in" and look at the clever use of a mannequin for a "guest book".

 

There were quite a few artists/vendors in attendance with their creations, including Marilyn Adams, Robin Kelso, Danyel Montecinos of Paris to the Moon, Cynthia Morehouse, Christie Repasy, and Georgia Hecht of Saltwater Studio (Just to name a few).  But of course, my first stop had to be at Christine Rose Elle's booth (Dollybelle's Peepshow), for a chat and some retail therapy.  She was wearing her adorable apron made for her especially by the talented Holly Stinette.

 

Here's a peek at Christine's lovely displays of her artwork.

 

 

 

 

 

It was a great morning spent browsing, shopping and visiting.  I was so pleased to finally meet Marilyn Adams in person (after meeting her on Facebook) and chatting with Marian, who I had met last year at Silver Bella.  Please take notice that I am doing MY part in stimulating the economy and supporting my local artisans by shopping at Glitterfest this morning.  How about you?  :)

P.S.  Be sure to pop on over to Priscilla's blog for more pictures of some of the other artists at Glitterfest.  She was MUCH better at taking multiple pictures.  I think I just got caught up in all the pretties and forgot to take more pictures!  Thanks, Priscilla!

The Grad

 

I am back from graduation...I now am the mother of TWO college graduates. Wow,feeling a little old tonight. Could it  be the 8 hour drive each way... hosting a picnic for 60+ an hour after graduation...moving her out of her apartment...back to work the day after getting home....hmmmm? Anyway, it was a fabulous 4 days and we are so proud of her. Now she is packing & preparing to fly out to New York tomorrow for her first  "post college" job!   More pictures and details to follow in a few days when I recuperate!!

Hello from....

 

Well, we made it here safe and sound, despite a flat tire along the way!  My guardian angel was definitely riding along on my trip, as we had stopped at a Jack in the Box to grab some lunch and a soda and came out to a completely flat tire.  I though...my gosh...where are we going to find a tire place and my girlfriend pointed to the sign immediately across the parking lot.."Kingman Tire Center"...how is that for great timing?  They were awesome and had us back on the road again within 30 minutes.

So, tomorrow is the big day... NAU graduation and the grad picnic.  Bill, Allison and the grandmas are flying in today and our dear friends, will be arriving later this evening.  I'm off to Sam's Club to buy food for the barbeque.....I'll be sure and post some pics when I get back.  Bye!

A good "flea" day...

 

This morning I headed over to my local monthly flea market at Irvine Valley College. It is one of my favorites - maybe because its less than a couple of miles from my house, but, I think because its a good size.  Very "do-able" without feeling overwhelmed!  Anyway, I managed to fil my cart and empty my wallet within a couple of hours.

 

My favorite finds were two old photo albums filled with beautiful cabinet cards.  The one above is FILLED with incredible pictures along with the gorgeous purple cabinet cards.  It doesn't have a cover, but just the photos and cards were worth the mere $10.00 I paid for it! 

 

The other photo album has cabinet cards in great shape - no photos, but a beautiful brass hinged closure on it! A few of my favorie blue mason jars, a quilted divided box and a few doilies were the balance of my purchases.  I'll try and get some shots of all the great photos to share later.  Have a blessed Sunday!