PresentPast Collection

Two TuTu Terrific

Since I brought home those vintage tutus my Sweet Girl has had her eye on them! She kept saying that she wanted to put them on and take some pics with them. So this weekend we had a little fun with her best friend aka Oher Sweet Girl. Now of course, they had to give them their own personalities. You know, glamin' it up rock style!

This is their action pose with a little attitude! I think this is the shot where I stepped in the treasure my dog left me! While barefoot! Ew! Such sacrifice for my art!

I told them they look very, very smart in this one and I was wondering....ummm what are they thinking about? The meaning of life? Astro physics? How to split an atom? Whatever it is I'm sure it deep, very deep!

Aren't they just the cutest? We had such a blast doing these! It's so great to see that all those years of flea marketing might just wear off on my Sweet Girl. They announced after this photo shoot they want to go vintage shopping for the next session! I can't wait!

That Martha's a Crafty One

She's such a smart one, that Martha. Her television program is famous for showing us all those Good Things and her new Craft line available at Michael's nationwide does not disappoint! First off I have to say that the quality is impeccable, the texture of the papers and heft of the labels are unlike what I've seen on the market today. And the colors are just dreamy! I personally have a hard time finding beautiful muted tones and neutral colors at scrapbook stores and I won't have to look any longer!

And there's so much to choose from! Glitters, glues, paper punches, pens, journals, kits, stickers the list goes on and on! I bought some bronze glitter that I thought was such a beautiful hue. And can you see how the word Art in her name is in the turquoise color? So cute!

I thought these garden labels were so sweet. I've got to get something growing in my garden besides roses so I can make delicious things for my friends! Can you see at the holes on the bottom of each package? Those are so you can insert them into her Craft Binders. Genius! No more looking all over for every little scrap, TaDa...they're right in the binder. They didn't have them at my Michael's yet but I'll be checking back!

Now, before I stop my little Martha fest here I thought I would say that I'm not an extremely devoted fan. I don't watch her shows very often, and don't subscribe anymore to her magazines but do buy them occasionally at the bookstore. But, I have met her personally twice. Once at a charity event and once I had breakfast with her and about 10 other friends at a local home here in my city. It was a very intimate setting and we were all able to visit with her for a few hours. She's very personable and funny at least in my experience and was very gracious to us all. And I admire her business ethic and what she's accomplished I mean come on.....just look at that Crafty Stuff! Now I'll try to find the photos from the breakfast. I remember I was wearing a red coat and she was extremely tall!

Beauty on Flickr

"There's too much beauty upon this earth for lonely men to bear" ---Richard Le Gallienne

Just a few of the many photos that are so amazingly beautiful and available 24 hours a day at Flickr.  I encourage you to take some time to be inspired by what people capture and share with the world. To take a peek at some of my favorites this week just click here. There is always a photo to touch your heart, make you laugh, inspire you to create, or remember being a kid!

In other exciting news the McFabulous McFayden has given us a sneak peak of the talent that will be appearing at the next Silver Bella Event. Wow, I mean seriously WOW! I have to make a trip to Nebraska! So does anyone live in SoCal that wants to go too? I could use an airplane buddy.

Thanks also to all of you who left me so many wonderful comments about Tessie Faye.  It was truly a fun project for me and I'm touched that she received such a warm reception from you! I'm making plans to have some available on my website which should launch mid-July. I can't tell you how excited I am to get this site up. It seems to be taking forever and then on the other hand I sometimes feel there's not enough time! My mind is constantly coming up with new ideas and products to add. It's such fun work!

Ok, now somebody email me about the Nebraska thing ok? Let's go!

My New Gal

I'd like to introduce you to my new gal! Her name is Tessie Faye, named after my Great-Grandmother.  I have been searching for a vintage French mannequin for quite some time now. There have been many on Ebay but they usually sell for $250-400 and I just couldn't see paying that! So, I bought a brand new one last week and have been sprucing her up a bit to look more antique.

She came with a white fabric cover which I first sprayed with primer. Then after that dried I added a coat of paint (Churchill Hotel Wheat by Velspar available at Lowes) and lastly I used a watered down glaze by American Tradition called Faux Antiquing Glaze. Then I just used a French inspired stamp on the neck to make her look more authentic. Then it was onto the base which came gloss black and I kind of liked. So for that I just sanded the edges and added the glaze to those areas.

Then for her debut for you I made her a garland sash of fresh roses from my garden! Doesn't she look so beautiful?

I'm so excited how this project turned out! I'm going to be using her lots to photograph items for the website such as jewelry, aprons, t-shirts and such. So you will get to know her quite well! There have been quite a few advantages to buying a new mannequin, she's lightweight, can be transported easily in her carrying bag, doesn't have that old smell, and cost a mere fraction of an antique one! Here's what she looked like before her transformation.

Quite an improvement don't you think?

Gettin' My Craft On

Just take a looky at what the mailman delivered this weekend!  It's my new craft apron courtesy of the ever so talented Kim over at Olive Juice Co.! I was so excited to know that she would custom make one for me. All I asked for was a small ruffle (too cute!) and maybe some pink fabric to make it girly. The rest I left up to her and she did a perfect job don't you think?

And just take a look at the packaging as well. Olive tissue paper, tied with pale blue and cream seam binding! Then it was topped with a business card and beautiful thank you note. Which I have already posted on my Inspiration Board! No detail left behind and everyone knows how much I love the details!

Well, this should be a busy week at my house. Lots of projects including a few to show you over the next days or so. And also finishing up plans for Sweet Girl's 16th, the never ending website to-do's, remodeling the master bathroom, all along with the normal daily stuff. Wishing you all a super week! I have a feeling it's gonna be great!

Fun with Bella

So I decided to play around with my vintage papers today. Just to have fun and see what came out of it. I ended up making this little pink princess crown. I used some of my old pink wallpaper, bits of trim, a silver foil doily, crepe paper and of course, Glitter! I scalloped the edges and then dotted them with German glass glitter. Making a mess can be very therapeutic as I'm sure many of you know! And guess who got this adorable crown?

My little Boston Terrier Bella! I know....she doesn't look very pleased. I had to bribe her with trail mix just to get this photo. For a minute I was thinking hey, she's having fun!

But then I loaded the photos onto the computer and realized it was only me having fun at this point! She was not amused in the least with her new sparkly topper!

She would much rather be dragging this deflated soccer ball around the yard begging me to play. And you know I owed her at least that, her being such a good sport and all! So for now the crown will hang in my office because this little girl has no interest in leading the glamorous life!

Thoughts....

I picked these from my garden on Monday afternoon.  I had a nice quiet lunch on the back patio and couldn't help but smell all the rose bushes that surround my yard. I believe there are 20-25 in all. I've planted climbing pink roses, old English, floribunda, miniature and a few tea roses. Having the variety makes for beautiful bouquets.

I've felt rather quiet this week with the devastating tragedy at Virginia Tech. Not quite knowing what to say online or even what to do with myself. Productivity has come to a halt. Unspeakable sadness for the victims and their loved ones. Pray, pray and pray some more. I've tried to keep myself busy with everyday tasks like running errands, watching my daughter's race, doing some retail therapy and tonight is the first time I've felt like getting back online.

I was tagged earlier this week by my friend Tracy of  Junk2Jewels to show my desk. So here you are ladies, I didn't clean it up for you, sorry. It pretty much always looks like this. With magazines, papers, my cell phone and always a Diet Coke! With a straw to keep those pearly whites. The only thing missing that's usually on it is my camera. I'm suppose to tag 3 other people so let's see....how about Cerri of Little Pink Studio and Raya of The Paper Pony and Lauren of Alice Lands. Ok gals, let's see it!

In other news, I was honored to receive the Thinking Blogger Award from Artsy Mama and another one from Dream, Create, Inspire! Thank you so much for the nod of appreciation. I kept thinking (haha) that I'm not sure I'm a Thinking Blogger (lol). I've always thought of myself as more visual than mental (don't laugh). But it's so nice to be noticed for my small contribution here in Blogland especially when I see so many others that amaze me with their talents and creativity! Now let's go make something beautiful!

Fantastic Finds

Ok, get comfortable, this post has lots of pictures! Here's a peek at some of my finds from the flea market on Sunday. For those of you who asked we went to the Long Beach flea market. I almost always come home with goodies! These jewelry pieces had such beautiful colors, nice to see something besides clear rhinestones.

This is the lavender sachet I picked out for my daughter's French inspired room. The little wedding cards had the cutest graphics and colors. I think I'll put these in some upcoming paper packs.

Then there were these unbelievable tutu skirts! Love, love, love them! The most amazing pale muted tones and the netting on the pink one was trimmed in satin ribbon! I'm going to use these for display when I photograph items for the website. So you'll see them again one day soon!

Here's some more sparkly jewelry, vintage satin ribbon, creamy trim, old silk netting and chocolate brown velvet ribbon. Perfect for all kinds of projects!

I can't ever pass up mother of pearl buttons, especially the carved ones. Even if they are a little dirty! Soap and water and they'll be good as new, only better!

This was my best score of the day! Old hardware! I bought every piece she had and would have followed her home if she told me she had more!

The detail on these are amazing. I can't wait to use them in my artwork!

And lastly, for you fabric gals. I found some vintage tablecloths. So many uses for these. I really need to learn to sew! I have a ton of ideas stuck in my head! For now I use them for my outdoor tables or that spontaneous picnic!

Whew! Finished with the photo session! Hope you enjoyed it. I'm off to load them on Flickr with a few others then to pick up my daughter from practice!

Flea Market Day!

I spent Sunday morning at the flea market with The Man. We were up bright and early. Well, just early. The sun didn't peek through the clouds until after 7am. It was a little overcast which made the dealers weary and caused them to set up their wares very slowly. I spotted these sachets that were filled to the brim with lavender. The dealer had 2 tables overflowing with them which made it difficult to choose. But somehow I managed!

This little spot had lots of vintage millinery flowers and these petite glass Eiffel Towers, too cute!

Garden items galore! Birdcages, wicker, old chippy tables, and so many chandeliers I couldn't begin to count!

And lots of vintage girly stuff! Rose covered plates, silk camisoles, vanity boxes and adorable kitchen cannisters.

This dealer was telling me that prom season is right around the corner. Did she think I was in the market for a prom dress? Hmmm. This one would be perfect for a garden party, or the perhaps the Kentucky Derby?

And lastly was this pink princess dress. Complete with rhinestone tiara and matching necklace. Very hard to pass this one up! If only I had the occasion.  Well, thanks for coming along with me! Next post I'll show you my loot! See you soon!

Nest Sweet Nest

While cleaning out part of our side yard today, The Man came across this dove's nest. Last year we had 7 nests on our property. They were mostly built by sparrows but I think there might have been one or two doves nest as well. This is the first nest of any kind that I've seen this year. I think it's because we lost 3 of our trees this winter to frost, one of them being a large ficus they loved to inhabit. So of course, I had to take a photo! And needless to say....The Man stopped cleaning!