Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

Wow, do I have some make up blogging to do! I haven't even begun to tell you about Silver Bella in November and so many other things. I have lots of pictures that I can't wait to share. I hope everyone's Holidays are filled with love, happiness lots of creativity!! If you have fallen in love with these amazing hand made ceramic Santa's, you can find them here. The talented and wonderful Katie created them in Sunny Florida.

Mini Moo's on their way

I ordered some of these Mini Moo Cards and used my watercolor backgrounds with this diamond tiara. Can't wait to see them in person. I made a couple other types too but I have been dying to use this image on something fun for a while now...It will be fun to pass them out at creative events where others have theirs also.

One of my Favorite Teachers

I was so fortunate this past Summer to take a special watercolor flower class with one of most favored teachers. I learned about Lisa Engelbrecht when I joined the Southern California Society for Calligraphy. Her lettering speaks to my soul and I aspire to get my letters to "sing" like hers do. She is also so talented in other ways, fiber arts, watercolor, mixed media collage, not just Calligraphy and when I first attended one of her Calligraphy classes and saw her work I almost passed out from joy. Finally I was seeing art that spoke to me and since that day, it has helped to guide me to creating better designs, the kind that will bare my soul and to be brave and create!
Enough babbling...here are some pics from that wonderful day in her backyard from the class...

When you arrive you get a folder filled with color xeroxes and information and she writes the name of each person on the cover in Calligraphy with special inks that bleed into eachother...so gorgeous



Inspiration



Can you believe how subtle the little flowers are? Amazing


This fun planter sits in the backyard and adds more inspiration to the day...

Ryman Affair of the Arts 2009

What a fun evening. I was so happy to help host the Art Bin Donation table. In fact, it's not to late to click here, check out the Wonderful School and donate yourself.

Thursday Sliver Treats

I have been spending time lately looking at so many wonderful, amazing and truly inspiring blogs & my heart always races when I see the fantastic thrift store finds that people share. On my way home tonight I dropped by a thrift store & there waiting for me were some great pieces of silver(plate), sweet little china dishes to put my bling on and a fun tiara. I was too excited and even put "dibs" on the tiara as I was in line to pay...( it was in the case). Now it's not vintage but I think it's sweet. Not too overdone. The prices were amazing there and I may have to go back. Everyday. Ok, not everyday but alot.

Aloha & Welcome Back...

So many friends have been going on really wonderful vacations and I seem to be getting truly spoiled. They keep bringing back little gifts for us left behind and it's just the funnest thing ever!!! I'm glad they all had a much deserved vacation but to be thinking of us at the same time??? I have the greatest friends ever!!! This makes up for my non existent summer vacation!! This is a snippet of the beautiful flowers my friend's husband gave her...so gorgeous in real life and matches her wedding flowers from years ago. What a doll!!

It's a fruity day...

Wanted to share some older paintings. I think it's time for a snack....

....and some of Marty at Disneyland

.....Just wanted to show you where his window is located in case you make it over to Disneyland. If you read the earlier post first, this will all make sense. His window is at City Hall in the exact location of one of his first offices upstairs. He is a writer and remembers when Walt saw him in the employee cafeteria and asked what he was working on. Marty told him and he said, "we gotta get you some more responsibility"....We were lucky to get him at Imagineering. I wore my twenty year ring proudly that day watching him receive this honor. Here are some pix....oh, and speaking of Marty, here is a link to an amazing organization that I volunteer for which will help to create some very talented artists of the future...Ryman Arts

The gal with the window replication was right next to me so I had to snap this one...

Here Marty is recounting days when working with Walt among other very VERY funny stories..

And this is the location of his window...

Disneyland's 54th Birthday - July 17th

What a fun day. After one of my most favorite bosses received his much deserved window on Main Street in the morning, some friends and i stayed and made the most of this special day. Marty chose to retire on July 17th after 54 years of service to the Walt Disney Company. He had been our leader at Walt Disney Imagineering for years and I was honored to be able to help him create his digital presentations for over ten of those. After the beautiful ceremony complete with Disney Characters, a huge singing choir and the release of doves, I was even invited to the brunch afterwards at the Napa Rose (the top class restaurant in the Grand Californian), and was stunned to be sitting there with all those legends in the same room. Just wanted to share a few of the photos from playing later that day....i couldn't believe the vibrancy of the colors in the park that day.

Happy 4th of July!!

I am very Proud and Thankful to be an American.
God Bless America and our troops!
I hope you are all having a wonderful time celebrating our Nation's Birthday!!!

Non-Slip Hangers are why....

So it all started at HomeGoods.
Here is a glimpse into my brain lately.
Hmmm, thin hangers in pretty colors covered in a non-slip material, just like the ones on QVC...and inexpenive too...
maybe I can free up some space in the closet.
Oh my gosh, I can't believe all the room now, I'll finish re-organizing.
And now the bathroom and all those cupboards, and then the living room, and then the kitchen and so on and so on and so on.
Sigh. I have lots to do but it's all on hold until I get this "new and improved" place of mine in tiptop shape.
Lucky "Goodwill" and friends because some of it will just have to go! Funny how our tastes change.
I'll get back to the art studio shortly but need to continue with this adventure.
What happened to Spring Cleaning? How did it turn into Summer Re-Haul? Oy.
Hope your summer is off to a fun start!!

Millinery Ballerinas

These little cuties were inspired by the dandelions from Disney's "Fantasia" movie....I used paper flowers that I have been collecting and added some of my favorite millinery stamens. So happy to put them to good use. I will make these ballerinas for boxes, tags, bottles and more and inside the boxes will be vintage treasures for my Etsy shop. Can't wait!!! Here's a peek at the first few....So happy to glue something to something!! It feels like it's been a while...

Spring Has Sprung

Must remember to make time....

for Calligraphy....

Daylight Savings Rules!!

How exciting that when we drive home tomorrow the sun will still be shining in the sky. Here comes Spring and cantalopes and butterflies and the smell of freshly mowed grass mixed with sunshine and jasmine...can you tell I am excited? Here is one of my cards from my shop. Happy Sunshine Days ahead!!

teensyweensyflower

happy sunday...

Thank You for my Flower!!

Had to share my wonderful new gift. After a fun day of crafting at my good friend Jeanne's house, I didn't realize that the first needle felted pin she did that day was really for me! What a treat! It looks so beautiful pinned on my brown jacket also. Don't you just love that button and those neat beads? I really like her eye for color. I am putting aside some beads for her too since I just reorganized the studio and can actually see all that I have. Friends Rule! Thanks Jeanne!!!

She has an Etsy Shop....Yipee!

I had told you I would give you a link if ever she had one and she's finally done it! My friend Stephanie, founder of Petite Posies on Etsy is finally selling her beautiful creations. I had purchased this one at her last craft fair and it's so pretty in person! After wearing it, I am going to pin it in my car since it's so sweet and I want to be able to enjoy it everyday. She will even do custom orders I hear. Congrats Stephanie!!

Time for a Change

Something big is coming....I can feel it in my bones, so it's a perfect time to reorganize my studio so I can get to all my new loves. After seeing so many amazing artists blogs ( like Julie Collings ), I want to hone in on some sweet and soft new crafts. The items I make will all make it to my Etsy shop and then who knows where...Here are some colorful pix from my reorganization.

and some bookmarks.....

These will also be sold at the upcoming craft fair...i finally used some of the ribbon i purchased at tinsel trading in new york last year....

Time for a Craft Fair

How fun, I am in glue heaven. E6000 to be exact. I have been getting ready for an upcoming show and for this I think I will make button pendants and add pretty ribbons to each. I will also decorate composition books with fun papers and embellish them. Scrabble necklaces and magnets and lots-o-paper. From greeting cards to tags. I'm trying to think of Valentine's Day themed gifts ahead of time. It's sure fun to see all this pink lying around too. Better get back to crafting.....