It's today!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

to all my friends, new and old,

May God bless you and keep you all safe this coming year!!

xo~

A new swap for the local gals...

My Sweet Shabby Chic French Valentine Banner Swap

Think soft, think sparkle, think France, think LOVE!

We'll join to create a delightful, frilly, fun Valentine banner for your home or your Valentine! Our banner will read “je t’aime,” which means “I love you” in French. There are 2 groups you can pick to sign up for, one is a standing banner for a bookshelf or mantle or elsewhere, the other is a hanging banner.


If you would like to be a part of this super fun project, sign up at the Pink Pineapple and I'll see you January 5th for our meet and greet.

Important dates to note:
January 5th at 6:00 p.m. for our 20 minute meet and greet and to shop for supplies.
January 19th: all work due by close of business today
January 26th: revealing party at 6:00 p.m. until 7:00

Hope you can join us!

~xo

our local swap group and oh so talented...

Here is the lovely group of girls who locally participated in the 12 days of Christmas swap. They were all so delightful and talented! We even had a mother and daughter participate making our youngest artist only 16! And boy is she talented! What a great group of gals!

Here is our group shot, everyone is holding their book open to the page they created and my little helper elf is holding the famous Blue Bunny.

I created the cover and used a vintage photo from the early 40's. It is an awesome shot of a Macy's Department Store Santa sitting. What a magical time!

The first day of Christmas was created by Terri K. She layered lots of paper and paint and topped it all off with this sweet birdie ornament.

The second day was created by Bonnie P. She did a phenomenal job of using a vintage photo of her grandmother. It was just beautiful and the silver twigs were the icing on the cake!

April, oh that crafty and creative April C. She created the 3rd day of Christmas with those French hens. All I can say is Ooh, la, la! Marie's dress opens up to reveal the other 2 hens!)

Cierra B. created this wonderful version of the 4th day and it was covered in beautiful gold glitter and the sweet bird addition. I thought it was an old playing card but no, she made it herself! Too cute!

Sherry W. worked her magic to create her 5th day. She was bound and determined to use those 5 golden rings and incorporate an angel. I just love the frosting of the angel's wings with the glitter, such a sweet touch.

Day 6 was created by Kimmi S. and I have to say it was a collage of Christmas-y goodness! She is quite talented!

Krystie W. wowed us all with her interpretation of the 7th day of Christmas. Don't you just love all the fibers and wire? When does this girl sleep?

Christie R. created the 8th day. Her combination of paper was heavenly and she even went as far as painting a milk mustache on our little maid a milking. Too cute!

Donna L. was not afraid to make her page 3-D! She added a whole shoe to hers! My favorite was her hand cut 9 ladies dancing all had hand painted on lipstick and hand colored hair (all right after she had hand surgery!!) Amazing!

Christine P. created the 10th day with oodles of goodness. She used vintage sheet music and prima flowers with sparkles and rhinestone goodness. Yummy!

Christianne P. was our youngest but pulled her weight nicely! She embellished with a paper doilies and used techniques that she learned in classes with her mom. We were all impressed!
Ally rocked our last page with one of my favorites... the little drummer boy who looks like he was taken right out of the Civil War era. the topped off her colorful and amazing page with a big shimmery star. LOVE IT!!

I am so happy with the way it turned out and so was everyone else! Next up is a Sweet Valentine's Swap. Stay tuned to the Pink Pineapple for more details!

~xo

so many wonderful things...

There are so many wonderful things happening right now! I am on a glitter high because we just finished our 12 days of Christmas swap at the Pink Pineapple AND today was the Holiday Hoopla! I just wanted to share some pictures of all the wonderful things happening right now in one quick journal because I have been so bad about updating my blog lately. I promise to do better. (ooh, I feel my first New Year's resolution coming on!)

we got our Christmas lights up! Hooray!

I figured out how to put my Twinchies up from the Advent Calender Twinchie Swap at the Silver Bella. You know, you just can't leave good art laying around! I hung them with tiny binder clips on a shimmery green cord and hung the cord like a small garland over a large mirror. Very nice!

Here are the 12 days of Christmas books all packaged up and ready for delivery at the cookie and hot cocoa revealing party at "The Pink." They came out just lovely and the girls were all so wonderful! I will post a picture of the completed book with a group picture as soon as I can get my hot little hands on it.

Here is a photo of my little model with the banner I taught at the Holiday Hoopla. We all had such a good time today!

And finally, a picture of the wonderful group of girls I got to work with today Leah Fung, Candice McLean, Teri Rogers, Krystie Whillock, Me and Michelle Hill (Stephanie Ackerman, what a doll, was there too, we just missed her for the group shot.)

Wow, what a week!

~xo

Things to be thankful for and a winner!

I have a terribly long list of things to be thankful for but here are some to share:

A beautiful song, , A comfortable chair, A cool breeze, A drink of cool water, A full moon, A gentle rain, A hard rain, A good book to read, A good coat, A good husband, A good pillow, A Mourning Dove's song, A scenic drive, Air conditioning, Beaches in the morning, Blue jeans, My Brother, Butterflies, Butterfly kisses, Children laughing, Christmas morning, Clothes that fit well, Comfortable shoes, Compliments, Computers that work, Dove Milk Chocolate, Dishwashers, Diversity, Dried pineapple slices, Fairness, Crackling fire in a fireplace, FAMILY, Flowers, Freedom of religion, Freedom of speech, Fresh ideas, Good conversation, Good eyesight, Good friends, Good health, Good movies, Good teachers, Good tires, Grace, Grandmas and Grandpas, Holding hands, Honest people, Hugs, Indoor plumbing, Kittens, Laughter, Parents, Parking spaces near the front, Peanut butter, Plenty of closet space, Polite drivers, Porch swings, Quiet mornings, Rainbows, Roasted peanuts, Shade trees, Silver Bella, Smiles, Snowflakes, Soft toilet paper, Sunrises, Sunsets, Thanksgiving dinner, That I am not a turkey today, The color of autumn leaves, The ocean, The smell of homemade bread, The words "I love you", Tire swings, True friends, Uninterrupted dinners, Warm kisses, Warm showers, Whipped cream, White puffy clouds and GOD.

There is so much to be thankful for, these are just a few. Don't forget to take some time this holiday and everyday to be truly thankful for our wonderful blessings.

And now.... drum roll please! My husband randomly picked a number from your posts and the winner of the Thanksgiving I am Thankful For Papercrafting Kit is:

A Silver Bella Sister!!!

Danielle Muller at daniellewww.thevintagedragonfly.typepad.com!!

Send me your address Danielle and I will get this out to you. Congratulations, and Enjoy!!!

Thank you all for your sweet sentiments and comments! You all give me so many more reasons to be thankful!

~xo

kits, kits, and more kits!!!

I am starting to branch out and sell a few paper crafting kits here and there. They are stuffed with goodness and just about everything you need to complete a project minus your basic tool kit. If you are interested, just click on the link to my newly updated etsy shop! In addition to sending you the kit, I will email you instructions and photos of the completed project.

Here's the first one:

Every Thanksgiving I spend at least two full weeks planning and preparing a meal fit for the noblest of kings. On the big day, the house is exploding with the smells we love so very much and the timer on the oven rings telling of another wonderful dish that is ready to cool. We bless the food and everyone dives in. We use our most beautiful china (the stuff for only special occasions) and everything is perfect. We are surrounded by family and friends, and the yummiest of foods. Several courses later, we all retreat to the couch for some football or more family fun. This is one of our favorite holidays with so many photo opportunities for sure but there are never any good photos because I am up to my elbows in cranberry sauce and pumpkin pies while making sure everyone in comfortably stuffed.

I figured it was about time to document at least one Thanksgiving before these wonderful memories escape me forever. With this kit, you will create a sassy memento of your Thanksgiving favorites will all the trimmings. It includes paper, binding ring, vintage jewelry, chipboard, vintage photos, ribbon, German glass glitter, beads, card stock, feathers and much, much more! With this, will have a special decoration to display for years to come, full of warm memories, precious family and oh yes, the cranberry sauce!

Here is a peek at the book:




~xo

Holiday Hoopla @ The Pink Pineapple!!!

I am just too excited to get the chance to work with such great talents at the Holiday Hoopla at the Pink Pineapple! The other girls I am so blessed to get to teach with are:

Leah Fung http://www.leahfung.typepad.com/

Michelle Hill http://www.polkadotwhimsy.typepad.com/

Candice McLean http://candicemclean.typepad.com/

Stephanie Ackerman http://www.homegrownhospitality.typepad.com/

Be sure to check them out, they are magnificent!

We all get to hang out Sunday December 7th from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. to create and be with our other kindred crafty girlies. You will get to make 5 projects and they can either be gifts or you can keep them for yourself (I think it will be hard not to!)

Get ready to get your glitter on girls!
Here are some sneak peeks of the class I am teaching:

The supplies you will need to bring for my class are:

scissors
crop-a-dile (don't worry if you don't have one, we can share)
tacky glue (Aleene's is great but any will do)
Art Glitter Glue (this is wonderful, but any sort of glue you can make a thin line with will work)
sanding block

There are only 32 seats and it is already more than half full! Call today to reserve your spot 760-598-2222.

I am sure it will prove to be a fabulous day of good times, great projects, and warm holiday wishes, hope to see you there!

~xo

as promised... the 12 days

I promised several Bellas that I would post our swap when it was complete. Here is the most glittery, glamorous days in all its glory (and they are glorious!!!):

I did the cover:

Liz Albrecht of the Artist Cellar was the first day of Christmas her paints were just perfect for the project, shimmering and shining!

Kim Caldwell of Artistic Bliss was day 2 with so many layers I could not even count! Stunning!

Michele Witchell of Willy Nilly Art & Whimsy was day 3 with her French hens are all speaking French! Ooh, la, la!!!

Cherie Wilson was day 4 with her vintage sheet music and glittery birds, so sweet!

Sylvia Estrada did amazing things with the 5 golden rings, and on material non-the-less!

Alisa Noble's fingers were probably numb after cutting all those geese, but it was worth it for the 6th day of Christmas!

Oh and that Heather Ales... Who but her would have thought of a ballerina for seven swans-a-swimming???!!! Love her for that!

Julie Hackney and her maids-a-milking was a huge hit! Just look at that chic cow!

Karen Lea wowed us all with her ladies dancing, the vibrant colors, rhinestones and feathers to boot... I feel like I was just at the Copa Cabana!

And then there is Miss Stacy McGinnis! She was so clever making her lords a leaping cute little frogs. Just look at that ornament in the corner... what a clever girl!

Lisa Orme, what a treat it was to get these in the mail, she used real vintage glass ornaments on the page!

And finally, last but far from least, my newest flying buddy Cheryl Stoneham created the most beautiful final page for our 12 days. Just look at the scrolling detail and the wonderful glitter trim. You cannot tell but that pink stripe is a vintage velvet ribbon going down the side!

Thank you all who participated! My Christmas decor will be the envy of all! I am truly blessed to get to have worked on such a special project with you all!

~xo

where does the time go?

It seems like yesterday was the middle of Oct and now today we are almost to Thanksgiving! Feathers have been flying and glitter is everywhere but so very worth it! I have packaged up my swaps and shipped them off to Omaha for our wonderful event, The Silver Bella. I cannot wait to see all so many kindred spirits there crafting and exchanging wonderful ideas and love! Here is a package of the goodness I sent off yesterday:

I will post more pictures after I return. The girls get first lookie-loos at their projects.

Secondly, I am excited about teaching new classes at our very sweet local store the Pink Pineapple! You can check out all the goodness at their site to the left of my blog. Super cute store and really nice people! I am fortunate to have such an opportunity as this and love to work with even more crafty and creative minds!!! I am a lucky girl indeed!

More later after the big event!!!

~xo

happy birthday to me!

I have been searching for just the right dressform for a good long time now and everywhere I look they are not only expensive, but they just have not been too exciting. Today I went out (my birthday none-the-less) bound and determined to find one, or at least hoping to find one. I did, I did, I did!!! Here she is... now I just need a name for her! I am even more excited because her sister is with my dear friend Jenny, so now we get to share the sisters. How fun!

xo~

more swap goodies and a class

Three, that's right THREE packages arrived today! I am sooooo excited! I know I cannot show anything yet and this is a true test of strength because these artists are just fabulous!! But I will give a peek of one of the packages... Thank you Julie B for the amazing packaging in a vintage cigar box!!! What a treat for sure! Here is a shot of that.

I cannot even express the thought that is put into this artwork and then the packaging of all the girls participating in this! The day of the "big reveal" is just too far away for me! I want to see it now!

More news is that I am getting ready to teach a class at a local Scrapbook Store!!! I am so excited about this new little avenue. The store is called "The Pink Pineapple" and the girls there are all so nice and welcoming, they make me feel right at home. We are going to do a Thanksgiving book full of vintage goodness. Here is a sneak peek at the back:

oh what fun this little class will be! I have to sign off for now, someone has to go check the mailbox for more goodies!

xo~

fire...

Today I finally rode my bicycle to work. I learned quickly that I should do this everyday, I need the exercise. My legs were letting me know just how long it had been since I took them to a decent gym workout and they were not going to let me forget it for even one moment of that short and sweet ride.

On the way home, I saw in the distance a fire burning. It was pretty large and far away but a strange site on a nice October afternoon ride home. The sky was filling up with smoke and I could actually see flames on top of a large hill in the distance.

We went on with our day and in the evening when I was driving home my little girl said with a scared twinge to her voice, "look Mommy!" As we approached the crest of the hill that looks down into the valley where we live and off into the horizon, we saw the fire glowing with darkness framing it. It was an amazing sight. A little scary, but amazing. The fire is burning in an area that is all open and fields so no property or people are compromised. The problem now is that they are trying to contain it before it gets worse.

Please say an extra little prayer for our firefighters fighting this and all those fires out there.

xo~

lookie-ookie!

I am so excited! Silver Bella is quickly approaching and goodies are popping out everywhere! To go with my crown necklace from Natalie Hansen I ordered this from Heather Ales!

you can get one too at:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5005200

This is just too much fun!

xo~

fall is in the air... well, sort of...

Living in Southern California has its perks to be sure, but leaves little to be desired in the fall. Trees here are still green, people are still in shorts and flip-flops, but we do our best to make the season special. Today, as we do every year, we went to the pumpkin patch in search of "Mr. P."

Every year, we go there, stand very still in the pumpkin patch and listen to see if we can hear "Mr. P." calling us. We find the biggest pumpkin we can and hoist it into the wheelbarrow, tote him to the scales, guess the weight and somehow get it into the Pathfinder. Once we get it home, my husband and I struggling the whole way get him to his final destination on our front porch to sit until a few days before Halloween when we carve him. We didn't know if we were going to beat last years record, he was 117 lbs last year, but we did. This darn thing is 164lbs! No wonder the whole family had to help getting him into the wheelbarrow!

The kids love this tradition and I have to admit, my husband and I do too. October never arrives soon enough for us.

xo ~

more goodies...

I got another box for my

Fine Feathered Friends ATC swap in the mail today

and didn't get all the way in the door before I was jumping for joy!

It was from Stephanie George Hirschberg at

http://www.doojies.blogspot.com/

She is amazing for sure and look at the little goodie she sent along with it!

Thanks Stephanie! You are a doll!!!

The coolest thing about hosting a swap right now

is that my birthday is right around the corner...

what a treat to find such goodies in my mailbox!

ALSO...

I snagged some glam gear for the Silver Bella

and I am just giddy.

A super cute prom dress tee shirt from Natasha Burns at

http://www.natashaburns.blogspot.com/

AND...

from the wonderful and most talented Natalie Hansen at http://nataliehansen.typepad.com/

a Silver Bella Necklace.

You better believe this little puppy will be all the glam rage!

xo~