Inside the Bubble

Once Upon a Dream......and I don't want to wake up!

This was a dream come true....traveling to Asheville, North Carolina in the fall for an art event hosted by Jennifer Hayslip. 

Here are my travel/plane buddies, Cynthia, Kim and Andrea. We arrived into Charlotte, NC, piled into our rented Suburban with our loads of luggage and headed down the highway toward Asheville.  We were surrounded by millions of trees, all ablaze in different shades of greens, rusts, reds, golds, etc.  Fall had arrived!  It was simply breathtaking.

 

After checking into our hotel and meeting up with friends, we headed off to dinner.  I think we stepped back into the psychedelic 60's when we arrived at The Mellow Mushroom.  What fun...yummy pizza and it was trivia night...I won't even go into the enebriated man who decided we would  have ALL of his answers needed to the trivia contest.

Meleen, Danielle, myself and Cynthia

Kim, Andrea, Jessi and Maija

It was then off the bed for dreams of the magical weekend that was to come.......

The next morning, we headed off to downtown Asheville for a little retail therapy.  Adorable little stores and oh my...a shoe store called Tops that was to die for!  I think we ALL left there with at least one pair of new shoes!  Then, a little more shopping at some local antique stores and a gorgeous linen store!

Molly, Maija, Earleen and Jessi

 

That evening we headed off to Crest Event Center.  We were greeted by the lovely Jennifer Hayslip and a sea of twinking lights, gorgeous flowy decor and many vendors for shopping.  Karla Nathan and Lori Oles each taught mini workshoppettes, of a flower garland and a rosette Ribbon.

The lovelies...Jen & Kim

Cynthia and me

Maija & Jessi

Molly & Me

 

Kim & Me

Jessi & Me

Tiffany & Me

Karla's Project

The adorable Sherry Williams & Me 

Can't go to the South and NOT get Krispy kreme donuts! They even have a drive thru!

The next morning, we were off to Claxton Farms for a day of art, friendship and fun!  We were greeted by mini horses, goats, and the most breathtaking farm set amoung trees and fields of fall colors.  We started with a jewelry class with Andrea Signarelli, then a chandelier class with Natasha Burns (who came all the way from Australie) and completed the classes with Dee Faust.  I will let the pictures tell the story.

 

Our lovely teachers...Lori, Andrea

Tiffany, Karla, Jen and Natasha

Kim and Karla

Me and my roommate, Earleen.

Annette & Me

Our last full day in Asheville was a trip to the incredible Biltmore Estate. All I can say is WOW!!!  I can't wait to go back another time and take the extended tour because it would take days to see everything!  We then had a private luncheon with the Biltmore Chef, Chris Anderson, and then headed off to Biltmore Village and Winery for a little more retail therapy.  We also got to visit the Tiffany exhibit that was in house.

 

Sorry...no pictures  :(

Jessi with Chef, Chris Anderson

In the winery....yay!

A little Biltmore Vanilla Ice Cream for dessert!

 This journey was a dream come true.....thank you Jennifer for such a lovely art event...every last detail was attended to and it is a trip I will always remember.  Stay tuned for another blog post soon, where I will share my swaps, which included a vintage apron, a wreath/crown and an album.

Voted off the island?

 
Luckily, I was NOT voted off the island last weekend!  I had a wonderful, relaxing weekend with some dear friends on gorgeous Coronado Island. Coronado Island is located in the San DIego area and is the home of the phenomenal Hotel Del Coronado.  If you ever get a chance to go, please do!  Totally somewhere you don't want to miss!

Now, for someone who has a HUGE bridge phobia, traveling over the "big blue bridge" was quite an undertaking for me...but TOTALLY worth it!

This is where my "heart" started pounding in my chest.  Here I am heading over the bridge (inside lane only!)  But, what a view!  :)

Conquering my "fear" was SO worth it...I arrived safely and what a great welcome sign.  LOVE the crown!

..and last but, certainly not least, here is a pic of our fun, crazy group! Love you girls....we had SO much fun!

Until we meet again......

 

 

tap..tap..tap...is this thing on?

First of all, I would like to thank all my dear blogging friends for religiously stopping by my blog, regardless of the fact that I have not posted for almost THREE MONTHS!  I am alive and well....life has just happened and I have not taken the time to share with the blogging world.  So....let's catch up!

Where do I start.....well, I've just completed a HUGE two month project at work, which honestly, not only took a lot of extra time and effort, but truly zapped all the energy and creativity out of me.  But, its done (YAY!!!) and thankfully, I was able to sneak away a couple of weekend days and take a few art classes. To me, art is my sanity!!

Most recently, I attended a weekend of classes with Lisa Kaus, hostessed by the amazing Kim Caldwell.

It was held at the beautiful, peaceful Belamar Hotel in Manhattan Beach.  We met Friday night and had a yummy dinner at Rock.N.Fish near the pier.  Here is Kim and Lisa, near the pier.

We were greeted with a cheery room, adorned with bright green tablecloths, gorgeous Hydrangeas and goodie "tins" to die for!

(Photo courtesy of Jenny Doh)

Here's Jenny Doh, Lisa Kaus, Kim Caldwell and myself at the class. Jenny generously donated autographed copies of her latest book, Signature Styles,  and I was the lucky winner from my table.  Thanks, Jenny!  This book is filled with inspiring ideas, stories and pics.  I highly recommend it!

We made two projects, one each day.  The first day was entitled Gridlock, in which we created a collage using different wooden blocks, paint, vintage images, ephemera, etc.  Here's my completed board.

I'm very pleased on how it turned out!  The second day we were to create a painting, using layers of acrylic paint, watercolor crayons, graphite crayons and pencils.  Now, I am NOT a painter, so I was really nervous about this class.  It was actually so VERY relaxing and fun AND, another project COMPLETED IN CLASS! Love it!  Anyway, here's my painting...its very basic but I learned SO much about shading, layering, etc and can't wait to try another one!

What else have I been up to?  Well, here are a few snippets of my last couple of months.

Here we are, out to dinner in CLaremont, after taking a class with Terri Brush, held at Joy Campbell's home.

I LOVE, love, love this!  Can you see the eyelashes on Marianne's car headlights?  Aren't those just the cutest ever?  Of course, so are Marianne and Joy!  Love you girls!

What a fun group of friends here.  We went to the Behind the Picket Fence vintage Marketplace and then over to Cheesecake Factory to celebrate Andrea's birthday!

Here we all are at The Bath Junkie in Claremont Village.  OMG....you can create your own scented bath scrubs, oil, lotion, etc.  I made a Lemon Verbena/Honeysuckle blend. I am hooked!  I'm already almost out of the body scrub and need to get back up there to buy some more!

(Photo courtesy of Gilding the Lily)

This is the sample from the "Heartstrings" class I took from DIane Cook, through Gilding the Lily.  Isn't it breathtaking?  I learned SO much and adore mine!

Well, this was a really brief catch up, but, that's life!  It you want to see more pictures of these events, visit my Facebook page.  Yes, I've gotten really lazy and its just SO easy to upload pics to Facebook instead of taking the time to blog.  However, I miss seeing everyone's blog posts and will try to get back in the practice of blogging more often!

Have a safe and wonderful Fourth of July Holiday with your family and friends.  We will be joining our dear friends for a BBQ and firewoods on the 4th!  TTFN!

 

 

What crazy weather.....

Yes, this is Sunny Southern California. I live in Orange County, the land of warm, mild sunshiny weather year round, but last night, a crazy spring storm passed through....In a matter of minutes, everything was white.  HOLY HAIL BATMAN!  The street looked like it has snowed.  Of course I had to run outside (in bare feet -I do NOT recommend this) and take pictures because this was such a rare occurence here.  Anyway, just had to share!  Today is a sunny, brisk (high 50's) day.  Off to enjoy it!

Moulin Rouge projects....finished!

Now, don't faint, at this THIRD post on the same weekend.  I think the Moulin Rouge event got my "mojo" going again.  I just finished all of my Moulin projects!  Yeah!  Let me share them with you....

I "tweeked" Kerry Lynn's project just a little, choosing to use taupes, black, tan and burgundy.  I'm so pleased how it turned out!

I'm Lovin this Dry Erase Board!

Next...my Can Can girl from Colleen Moody's class.

I then decided to "merge" Jenny & Aaron's canvas with the bow made during Christine Rose Elle's Make and Take, since the colors were perfect together!

Last but not least, here is my necklace from Shea's class.

I'm SO pleased with myself for finishing all of these up, within a week of the event. I think this is a new personal record!

I am waiting for a sunny day to photograph Michelle Geller's Journal.....so, stay tuned for a little more Moulin goodness later this week!

Merci!

Moulin Rouge....part deux

Well, I'm back to share the rest of my Moulin adventure (actually, it was more like a dream!).  Our first class was with Shea Fragoso of Gilded Life.  Her mother and partner of A GIlded Life, Debbie Murray, was there to assist.

We made a sparkly necklace that just screamed Moulin Rouge!

Our next class was with Jenny and Aaron of Everyday is a Holiday.  I had talked online and by Facebook with Jenny, but had never met her or Aaron.  OMG...they are the cutest, sweetest couple I could ever meet and I just LOVE them to pieces!

This is the canvas we made, using original artwork created just for the Moulin Rouge event.  Thanks, Jenny & Aaron.

Friday night was swap night.  I participated in three swaps.  A Moulin Rouge vintage journal with Michelle Geller, a 3x3 canvas swap with Julie Weller and a one on one Vintage Jewelry box swap hosted by Denise Hahn.

I have not had a chance to photograph Michelle's journal and that will be a whole other post, but, let me tell you, it is a treasure!  Thank you SO much Michelle!

The 3x3 canvas collage swap was so much fun and the finished canvas....well, ooh la la!  Love it Julie!

The jewelry box swap...I made this box for Karen France.  I used linen, stamped on it, stuffed it with fiberfill and tacked it down with upholstery tacks and then embellished it.

We knew who we were making a box for, but did not know who was making our box. I was thrilled when Colleen Moody called my name......The box was filled to the brim with vintage goodness and I had tears in my eyes, when I realized the vintage jewelry box she used was the same color and box that I had as a young girl.  But the best part, it was adorned with one of her phenomenal doll heads!  Thanks, Colleen, I adore it!

The last day of classes, started with a class with Kerry Lynn Yeary.  I first took a class from Kerry Lynn at Silver Bella last year and was so excited to get to take another one of her classes.

We made a cute dry erase board, using vintage piano music rolls.

Last, but certainly not least, was a class with the talented Colleen Moody.  We made one of her specialty handmade dolls into a can can girl with a draped stage.  Mine is not completed yet, but here's a picture of Denise's doll, which she made into a witch (so cute)....

After three days of fun, creativity and friendship, there was yet one more day....Sunday was the Bus Tour Day!  We boarded this plush bus and headed south...

Now mind you, Mother Nature, was not cooperating, as it was pouring down rain.  That never will stop a true shopper, so we headed to the Long Beach Flea Market.  Some great bargains were found and packed onto the bus. We then proceeded down to Solana Beach to Out of the Blue (Mermaid Mercantile).  Lots of vendors with french, vintage treasures for us to purchase.  Again, no pictures.. Shame on me, but I think i was in a french haze by this time.  Our next stop was Vignettes in Ocean Beach (San Diego).  I finally snapped out of my haze and got my camera out!

Kim and I got to give Joy Gabler (Vintage Rabbit) and Sherry Mattia-Welch (Glamarella Junk) a big hug!

Lovin' me some Aaron & Jenny!

Our last stop was at Paper Tales in Point Loma (San Diego).  Now the first picture below, was not one I really wanted to share....but, when you want to shop, and you are near the front of the bus, you gotta RUN!  (hee hee)  Michelle White, Helle Greer and Karen Aguirre were there to greet us with warm hugs and even had nourishment (pizza) ready for us!  Thanks, ladies.

I would like to also extend a big "thanks" to Terry Frias and Cynthia Flores for being our tour bus hostesses and for our great goody bags.  We then all boarded the bus, exhausted but so very happy, from our Moulin experience, none of which would have been possible, without the dedicated hard work, talent and vision of this wonderful lady, who I am blessed to call one of my very best friends!  Love you, Kim!

 

 

 

 

I'm back from Paris.....

Well, as close to it as I will get in the near future.  Moulin Rouge!! Kim Caldwell's incredible art event was a HUGE success.  So, grab a cup of coffee or tea, relax and enjoy.  I have SO many pictures from the event but I will share just a few....well, maybe more than just a few!

The event was held at the adorable Hotel Belamar in Manhattan Beach, California.

Just prior to vendor night, Joy Campbell and I hosted a welcome cocktail party. We greeted all the Can Can girls with delectable French Martinis.  Vendor night was the night we were to dress up in our finest Can Can girl outfits, and what a gorgeous group of girls!

After the cocktail party, it was on to Vendor Night.  Wow...the creativity that was available for purchase that night was unbelievable.  Well, I did not take any photos of vendor night...too busy shopping AND Kim had brought in LA Photo Party to take fun pics of all of us.  Let me share some of my favorite shots from the night....

The above picture is all of the teachers for the weekend.  Shea Fragoso (Gilded Life), Jenny & Aaron (Everyday is a Holiday), Kerry Lynn Yeary and Colleen Moody, along with our beautiful Hostess, Kim Caldwell.

Here is my ALL TIME FAVORITE picture......(I'm NOT telling who is in the center!)  hee hee!  (please don't Kill me for putting this picture up, but it cracks me up everytime!!)  After all, it IS Moulin Rouge!!!!

So, as you can see, we had a BLAST that night!  It was off to bed to rest up for the next two days of classes.  Oh, before I forget, leave it to Kim to think of everything...before we retired to our rooms for the evening, she sent us away with yummy meringue cookies packaged in the most adorable jars.

The next morning, we entered the ballroom and found it transformed into Moulin....ooh la la!!!

Here are photos of my fantastic tablemates for the weekend...

 Jessi Nagy (Scrappy Jessi)

 Jen Hayslip

 Maija Lepore and Earleen Coburn

 Myself and Julie Weller

So, this is the end of post #1. Stay tuned for post #2, which will include the classes, swaps and our bus tour.........until then, Merci.

 

 

 

I'm off to.....

 

I'm sure I will have many, many pictures and stories to share when I return!  Check back next week (after I recuperate from the sequined, feathered coma I'm sure I'll be in).  Merci!

 

Busy, busy, busy

I am full creative mode lately, preparing projects for the swaps I am involved in for the upcoming Moulin Rouge event hosted by Kim Caldwell.

***SPOILER ALERT****  If you are involved in the jewelry box swap, 3x3 collage swap and Souvenir Journal swap and do NOT want to see any sneak peeks, please CLOSE your browser immediately!

 

 

 

Are we safe........??????

 

 

 

Ok, let me share some sneak peeks of my projects.  Ooh La La.....

First, here is a glimpse of one of my Souvenir Journal pages.

Ready for another peek......Here is my 3x3 square for the 9x12 canvas collage swap.

Lastly, is my favorite.  Its a one on one vintage jewelry box swap.  We know who we are creating the box for, but they do not know who has them.  So, here's the box I made for.......Ha!  Thought I would tell you who I have?  No way...sorry.  But, I am SO pleased with how this box turned out.  I won't show you the inside that is filled to the brim with lovely, sparkly things, but here is the outside.

So, be sure and check back after March 20th, and I will post pics of the finished swaps, along with other pics from Kim's fabulous event!  Thanks for stopping by!
 

Art Saves

I was so honored to be asked by Jenny Doh to be a Guest Curator on her Crescendoh website.  My story is up on the website, but, please take a moment to spend some time online, as it is filled to the brim, not only with touching Art Saves stories, but with inspiration, products and online classes.  Thanks, Jenny!

 

Art: Another Dimension in my Life • by Cheryl Stoneham

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ART … Throughout my life, I’ve always loved dabbling in different art mediums, but have never considered myself an “artist.” During my years as a child at home, my refuge would be drawing, doodling, and sewing in the solace of my bedroom. Just a few short months after the untimely death of my brother (my only sibling) from cancer at the young age of 23, I gave birth to our first daughter. As I held this beautiful, new life in my arms, I then came to realize just how fragile life is, and that each day must be lived to the fullest, as we never know when our short time on this earth may end. That led me to scrapbooking, as I felt the need to document our heritage for my family, including my husband and then two daughters.

An Empty Nest
Fast-forward to five years ago. After the hectic, fun-filled years of raising our two adorable daughters, my youngest graduated from high school and headed off to college out of state, leaving me and my husband as “empty nesters.” Although I am employed full-time as an escrow officer in the real estate industry, my whole life over the past 22 years had been centered around our girls. I have always believed that we must raise our children to become independent, contributing members to our society, but when our last daughter headed off to college, my whole “being” left with her. I no longer felt “needed.” Yes, I adore my husband, but it just wasn’t the same. I wouldn’t say I sank into a depression, but I was definitely lost and melancholy.

When I Needed it Most
I started attending art classes and weekend art events and through that, also learned about blogging. I started a blog and through both the art classes/events and blogging, I found a community of women that “got me.” Through art, lifelong friendships have developed that will endure the test of time. Traveling across the country taking art classes from many different artists has given me inspiration, not only from the artists, but also from my fellow students. My family is still so very important to me, but art has added another dimension to my life and I cherish my “art family” that has developed because of it. Art truly “saved me” when I needed it most! 

To learn more about Cheryl Stoneham, visit insidethebubble.typepad.com.