Inside the Bubble

Tagged

I was tagged by my friend Rebecca....

So, here we go!

3 Things that bring me joy
1. Spending time with my husband and two daughters.

2. A neat, clean house  (clutter that I can SEE makes me crazy!)

3. Spending time scrapbooking or crafting with my dear friends, including our "field trips" (shopping excursions during crops!)

3 Things that I fear
1.  My daughters or husband getting into an automobile accident

2. Tornadoes (I'll take an earthquake anyday over a tornado - but not NOW, please!)

3. Going into a BIG group of people that I don't know  (I tend to be shy around others I don't know, but once I get to know you, you can't shut me up!

4. NEW ADDITION:   BEES!!!!

3 Current obsessions
1. Vintage Animal or Lady Ceramic Planters

2. Vintage Jewelry

3. Organizing my craft room

3 Random/Surprising facts about me (really? do I surprise any of you?)
1. I grew up at the Little League Field since my dad coached and I hit a home run off my Dad's best pitcher at the team picnic

2. I have a HUGE phobia of Bridges!

3. I am a closet shover!  Can't stand to see clutter, but, have NO problem if its shoved in the closet behind closed doors!

3 People I tag

1. Suzanne B.

2. Lori M.

3. Sherry B.

 

What's the Buzz???

First of all, let me warn you that this post is NOT for the weak at heart, but, since my blog is my online diary, I had to share this frightening story!  I came home from work yesterday to a call from my next door neighbor who wanted to let us know we had a problem!  Our problem?  Approximately 3,000 BEES decided to take up residence in our attic, by squeezing in through a small crevice next to our chimney and eaves on the second story. Apparently the city was trimming trees in the bicycle trail behind our home and they must have disturbed a hive. Here is a pic of our guests:

I immediately FREAKED out!  After a restless nights sleep, including nightmares involving stories that you can only imagine, my "hero" showed up today!  He proceeded to spray and dust some kind of terrible poison to kill the bees.  We lucked out that our neighbors warned us in time, as I guess if they would have taken up residence another day or two, we would have had to rip into walls to get rid of the honeycomb, etc.

The worst part of this whole ordeal for me (other than my nightmares) was when they wanted me to go up into my master bathroom and make sure the bees had not come through the canned lights into the house.  Now, mind you, my husband assured my all night that they could NOT get into the house, but the bee people said, oh yeah, they often get in through canned lighting.  Thankfully, they did not come in (or at least not that I know of, since my master bedroom/bath is closed off and I will NOT go in there until my husband gets home tonight!!).  But the sound of thousands of bees swarming just above your head is the worst sound I've ever experienced.  It was almost like an Alfred Hitchcock movie.  Anyway, as you can tell I'm still hyperventilating and my blood pressure is probably through the roof, but I think we are in the clear!  Off to get ready for bunco tonight.  Thanks for allowing me to share this nightmare and I promise the next post will be MUCH more pleasant!

Omaha, here I come!

I got in!  I am SO excited....care to join me?

Smart Water

I wanted to share with you my new "favorite" bottled water of choice....Smart Water.  No, I don't think it will make you more intelligent, but I just love the taste.  I know, most people say water is water, but there is definitely a difference!  This water tastes (as Jackie puts it) "Creamy"!!  Anyway, I love reading blogs and finding out everyone's favs, so that's why I thought I would share this with you.  My daughter, Shannon, pointed out the description of the water on the Smart Water bottle and I'll share it with you.  This will be kind of long, but I think its pretty witty!

"The Water with all the Answers"

Is it just us or do clouds get a bad rap?  While we admit they're not as great to have around on a beach day, as say, the sun, clouds are unsung heroes because they contain nature's purest source of water. Meanwhile, spring water comes from the ground and contains random stuff and whatever else the animals that swim in it leave behind  That's why we copied our white puffy friends by creating smart water. It's vapor distilled, so it is in its purist original state.  It's a difference you can taste...unless, of course, you have no taste buds (then you're on your own), but, we don't stop there. We one-up the clouds by adding electrolytes just in case you do decide to hit the beach.  Unfortunately, we can't fix the whole men in thongs thing.

How clever is that and to think I've been carrying around these bottles for some time now and NEVER read that!  We'll just say my daughter has TOO much time on her hands! (lol)

It is finally...

cooling off here in Southern California!  I feel like I have wasted an entire week of my life just trying to stay cool.  I just don't know how those folks in Phoenix handle those HOT summers!  Maybe I'm just a wimp since I'm a Southern California native and am used to those heavenly ocean breezes each night!

You have to go over to Kristin Hubick's blog and check out her incredibly gorgeous Angel canvas she is giving away!  I'd LOVE to give it a good home!

Well, just wanted you to know I'm alive and well....have to go watch my favorite show of the Summer - So You Think You Can Dance!  If you are a fan, vote for Katie and Twitch, our local fav's from Chapman University!

Red, White and Blue

These were the colors of the day at Artistic Affair's Festive Fourth of July event today, taught by the ever talented Candice Carpenter.  We arrived to festive tables, all decked out in their finest red, white and blue decor. 

As always, our lovely hostess, Kim, had thought of EVERY detail, down to the red, white and blue M&M's on each table and holiday cones filled with candy on each chair.

Candice proceeded to teach an adorable mini book with a red/white/blue theme, of course.  Here is a cover of my FINISHED Book!  It is always so nice to be able to finish a project during class!  Love that!

After the mini-book class, we were treated to a scrumptious Bar-B-Que lunch, prepared by Chef Richard.  We were so spoiled.....class was completed and we walked out to the patio to this spread, all ready to dive into!

After lunch, we made Fourth of July banners that are just the cutest!  Again, I was able to FINISH mine, so it will be proudly displated in my home for the upcoming July 4th Holiday!

It was such a fun, relaxing day and the best part was meeting and talking with other ladies who share my passtion for paper arts.  This hobby has expanded my circle of friends almost endlessly, between ladies I meet during classes or crops, to those that I have met all over the world through blogs like this one.  Today I had the pleasure of meeting new friends who I am sure I will see again in the near future at events similar to this one.  Thank you, Kim and Candice, for such an inspiring and creative day!

In Celebration of Summer Solstice...

I decided a field trip to LaMaison Rustique was in order.  I actually made the trek solo, as no one could "come out to play" this morning.  Since our crazy June weather was expected to be in the triple digits (yes, that's at least 100 degrees!) today, I decided to head out early this morning to beat the heat.  (Whatever happened to our June gloom??)  I arrived at The Barn Sale right at opening and realized that 9:30 AM Friday morning is the BEST time to go, since you have first choice at ALL the merchandise!  I managed to drop a nice sum and came home with some wonderful treasures, but most importantly, I met two more wonderful ladies whose blogs I have been following.  Joy of The Vintage Rabbit and Denise of Hope Tree Studio.  They were both such lovely ladies and I just love their creations!  After leaving the barn sale, I noticed that Pottery Barn has opened an outlet store in the Lake Elsinore Outlets....so, not to waste gas on a long drive for only one stop, I figured I just HAD to stop at PB.  Wow, if you need any furniture or some decor items, that is the place to go.  Today, everything was 30% off the "outlet price" - for instance, their liquid hand soap that is normally $12.99 in the store, was $4.99.  I picked up a lovely Mercury Glass footed bowl for under $20.00.  Last, but certainly not least, I came home to my package from Michelle Devine that I won on her blog giveaway.  Thanks, Michelle!  I will leave you with some photos from La Maison Rustique along with pics of my purchases.  Off to a basketball game and then tomorrow I am attending the Fourth of July classes taught by Candice Carpenter and hosted by Kim of An Artistic Affaire.  Happy Summer Solstice!

Are you still awake and with me?  Next are pics of my purchases from La Maison...

A gorgeous tray that is adorned with hundreds of vintage pieces of jewelry.  Here's a closer peek..

Lovely vintage jewelry pieces

that were in a "grab bag".

Wow, I got a great bag of

bling!!

One of Sherry's

fun necklaces!

and, last, but certainly NOT least, my goodie package from Michelle Devine!  Thanks again, Michelle!

Run, don't walk....

over to Hope Tree Studio's blog to enter Denise's Blog Banner giveaway contest.  You can win a new blog banner for your blog!

THIS is going to be fabulous!!!!

                                

   Candice Carpenter and An Artistic Affaire present

         A Marie Antoinette Workshop and Soiree

                         The 10th of January 2009

                             10:00 AM - 8:00 PM

                                    Cost: $195

If you long to be inspired by the enchanting fashion and art of the 1770's, please come join us as we create our own Le Petit Trianon and step back in time to celebrate the life and excesses of Marie Antoinette, Queen of France.  Our day long journey will include the creation of an artistic journal in the style of our dear Dauphine that will possibly hold your own secret wishes and desires, a delicious royal tea luncheon, French inspired creative art exchanges, an elaborately embellished mask and the culmination of our festivities with an evening masked ball fit only for a Queen.

                          Descriptions de Classe

Notre artiste extrodinaire, Madame Candice Carpenter, a true connoisseur of all that is Marie, will lead us through two exclusive projects: an opulent vintage inspired art journal and an elegantly embellished mask, both influenced by her royal highness, Marie Antoinette. Your savory collection of supplies for these one-of-a-kind creations will include exquisite velvet trims, heavenly textiles, fluffy and authentic ostrich feathers, flocked fabrics, Swarovski crystal accents, dainty paper fleurs, ornate embellishments, vintage ephemera, an exclusive Marie Antoinette inspired clip art collection designed by the one and only Hope Wallace, scrumptious pattern papers, a Wendy Addison glass glittered Eiffel Tower ornament, a vintage inspired ledger book and more.  Imagine gold leafing, rouge roses and fleur de lis, turquoise flocking and pink fluffy feathers, silver tarnished glass glitter accents, frosted cakes and pink champagne embellishments, classical fonts and historic fashions.  These projects will satisfy the queen in all of us.  Only the most luscious and authentic supplies will be featured.

After we finish our creations, all that is left to do is make some memories with them. . .all the while sipping pink champagne and giggling with good friends.

Seats are limited so act fast.  You can register for this one-of-a-kind event by emailing us at ArtisticAffaire@aol.com and requesting a registration form.  All spots are reserved on a first-come basis.  The event is pre-paid and non-refundable.

Happy Father's Day

I just wanted to take a moment and wish my husband, Bill, a Happy Father's Day!  Not only is he a wonderful husband but he is the greatest DAD to both our daughters, Allison & Shannon.  He has always put his needs behind those of his family.  He just wanted a "low key" Fathers Day, so the girls and I took him to lunch at BJ's Brewery.  He is now as content as can be, downstairs watching Tiger hopefully win the US Open and then is geared up for the big Laker/Celtics game tonight.

Here's a snapshot of the girls today at BJ's.  I did not get a pic of all of us, as Bill is not a big fan of getting his picture taken and I didn't want to push the issue today.  Shannon and I are off tonight to see My Fair Lady at the Orange Couinty Performing Arts Center. 

Bill and I both lost our fathers on 2002, so this day is always a little difficult for me, as I miss my dad terribly!  Well, I won't get started today on that....just wanted to wish you all a Happy Father's Day!  Enjoy!