Inside the Bubble

Happy Halloween

 

Wishing you a "SPOOKY" but "safe" Halloween!

Silver Bella Preparations

I just realized that I have not posted on my blog for over a week!  Life is good, I've just been busy...Working at my "real job" all day long and the evenings and this weekend have been spent working on my swaps and gifts for Silver Bella.  Here's a little "peek" of what I've been working on.  I'm so looking forward to my trip to Omaha, not only for Silver Bella, but for the opportunity to spend time with my old and new friends!

   

A little bit of this...

and a little bit of that! Thought I'd share a few little things that have been going on in my little world.  First of all, I was at Off-Broadway Shoes looking for a new pair of flats to wear with a long skirt I recently bought at Nordstrom Rack.  (Did you notice I'm "bargain" shopping...Trying to help stimulate the economy, without breaking the bank!)  Anyway, I got these shoes that I think are adorable, but what I wanted to show you is the name!

NAUGHTY MONKEY!  Don't you just love it!

 

As you may recall from a previous post about my FANTAGEOUS (my new word) birthday journal, I received a couple more pages from friends to add to my book.  I wanted to share them with you and send out a huge THANK YOU and (((HUGZ))) to Alice and Michelle for taking the time to create these gorgeous pages for me!

 

 

 

I've been busy working on my swaps for Silver Bella.  I can't believe its less than a month away!!  I've finished one swap and have two more to go.  I'll share pictures after SB, as not to spoil the surprise for the swap participants.  I've been searching thrift stores for something to wear on Prom Night at Silver Bella....I think those girls in the 50's all had 24 inch waists and NO boobs! I certainly have NOT found anything that would fit my "mature" body!!  I may have to settle for a cute twin set ....but in my journies to various thrift stores I did manage to pick up a few sparkles, pearls and postcards.

     

Well, the presidential debate will be coming on soon, so I'd better get going.  Talk to you soon!

Fire Season begins again....

 Southern California is under attack again tonight by fires.  Our annual Santa Ana winds (hot winds that blow off the desert area) have commenced dropping our humidity to almost nothing and thus with the dry brush in the hills, the firestorms are again here.  We are expecting winds of about 50-60 miles per hour tonight, so please pray for the safety of the firefighters, families and loved ones of those fighting these fires and those in the path of the fires.  As of about 7PM tonight, there are already about 4-5 fires going throughout Southern CA.  Our area is good so far, but it brings back frightening memories of last year's fires that came within a mile or less of our home!

A Gift to Treasure

         

All I can say is that I am truly blessed....my dear friend not only arranged a surprise birthday dinner and journal for my 50th birthday, but then proceeds to give me this precious gift.  Not only is it a gorgeous canvas designed and created by the talented Lisa Kaus, but it was made especially "just for ME" at Kim's request.  What a treasure to not only receive, but a to have a friend who would take the time and effort to do that! Thank you, Kim.  I absolutely adore it as I do you!  (Be sure to check out Lisa's article this month in Somerset Life.)

You'll want one of THESE!!!

  The ever talented Kim has done it again.  She has personally designed,  handpicked fabrics and has created these FABULOUS craft totes.  The pictures (thank you Becky!) do not even do these lovelies justice!  They are gorgeous and in case you can't tell, they are long enough for your paper trimmer to fit in the middle  section.  So, if you are like me and can't live without one of these beauties, you can now have one for yourself by heading over here to Kim's etsy shop to purchase one.

An Artistic Affaire Deux (Part Deux)....

  Well, this doesn't really describe the event, but I just had to share this picture of Kim's doggy, Winston, who decided Amy Tangerine' s stack of t-shirts was the MOST COMFY place in the house!  Saturday, our day started with Carol Wingert's altered book project.  Her kit was filled to the brim with product and trimmings allowing us to personalize each of our altered books.  We learned how to hand stich signatures into an altered book jacket and then embellished the exterior of this lovely handmade journal.  Here my finished book...

Sorry for the bad color in the picture, but I waited too late in the evening to get this picture (and photoshop was NO help whatsoever), but I wanted to get this post up! Who would have ever thought to take on of these wired frames and attach them to the front of a book...Carol is so clever!  We then had a scrumptious lunch, preordered to our personal speification, from Panera, served in cute gable boxes personalized with our names.

 

After lunch, we had plenty of time to shop at the boutique set up in Kim's living room.  Vendors included Jamie of Simply Me Art, Candice Carpenter of Peacoats & Party Hats, Kim Hesson of Miss Alayneeah, Carol Wingert, Amy Tangerine Designs, Beth Quinn and Artistic Bliss' debut of shabby chic craft totes!! Kim Hesson taught her class after lunch and we made the cutest wooden pedestal cake plates that are TOO DIE FOR!!!  Mine is not quite finished, as I plan to hang chandelier crystals and pearls from mine, but here's the picture of my work in progress...

   

Halfway through Kim Hesson's class, we had a break and were served tea in charming china teacups and saucers accompanied by mini cupcakes, key lime mini tarts (that I could have eaten a dozen of!!) and cookies.  The day was filled with art, laughter, tears (from laughing too much) and the building of lifelong friendships!  Three swaps for the day were hosted by "Scrappy Jessi" Nagy, Joy Campbell and Kelly Billadoo.  Joy and Kelly hosted a Halloween canvas swap and her is the canvas I received, made by Teah.  I just love it!  THank you so much, Teah!  You are so talented.

 

Another swap was the Cigar Box swap.  We were partnered up and my partner was Joy Campbell.  I received this gorgeous altered cigar box from Joy filled to the brim with goodies.  Thank you, Joy.  I will treasure this special box!

     

The last swap was a house swap.  We were put into groups of five or six and created chipboard houses for our group.  Here are the houses from my group....they are all so lovely and I plan on making a house banner with them.  Thank you to my Group of lovely ladies!

  Isabel Estrada's  Mine

  Sylvia Estrada's

 Jenny Morgan's  Marsi Bennett's

Colleen Jew's

After a delicious mexican food dinner, the last class of the day was Beth Quinn's vintage glove project. Mine is not yet completed, but here are pictures of Beth's gloves, so that you can get the idea of Beth's clever project.

   

Becky Novacek, talented photographer and artist, flew into Southern California for Kim's event and not only did mini photo shoots with some of us, but also took pictures of the entire weekend's activities.  I can't wait to see her pictures and I'm sure she'll have a sneak peek up on her blog later this week.  I was so blessed to meet and spend some time with this wonderful lady as she has such a kind, gentle soul and I can't wait to spend more time with her next month while I'm in Omaha, NE for Silver BElla.  Here's a pic of her preparing to take a group picture of our crazy group of ladies! ...and a pic of our fun loving group taken by Becky from her vantage point!

 

I want to send a big ((HUG)) out to all of you ladies in attendance this weekend.  I treasure each and every friendship with each one of you!  All in all, it was truly a tremendous event and I can't wait for Kim's next two events, A Joyeux Affaire and the Marie Antoinette Soiree. 

An Artistic Affaire Deux

 

Kim truly outdid herself this weekend at her event, An Artistic Affaire Deux.  The entire weekend was heaven on earth and I think I'm going to have to break it down into two or three posts.  First, I will begin with Friday evening.  We went to French General in Hollywood, owned and operated by its proprietor, Kaari Meng.   

 

We were able to get in about an hour (or so) of shopping and browsing through the adorable house filled to the brim with treasures galore!  I'll share a few pictures of some of the eye candy that greeted us...

 

     

We then proceeded to take a jewelry class and made gorgeous charm bracelets, using vintage items from the store.  Our table had the pleasure of being taught by Maggie Wheeler, who you may recognize as Chandler's girlfriend, Janice, from "Friends".  She is a delightful lady and we truly enjoyed chatting with her about jewelry, crafting and life in general.

  Me. Maggie Wheeler and Suzanne Brooksbank

  Here is my bracelet.

    Jessi Nagy and Kim Caldwell

 Becky Novacek, Beth Quinn and Carol Wingert.

Saturday morning we all arrived at Kim's lovely home and were greeted by the aroma of Starbucks Coffee, assorted teas, yummy muffins and tables trimmed with gorgeous flowers.   The classroom at Kim's home.

The teacup pedestal centerpieces made lovingly by Kim, herself.  I was fortunate enough to have my name drawn to take one of these home with me!

Our place setting at each seat included a charming salt shaker on a silver platter filled with sparking glitter, that we were able to take home with us, along with our leaf shaped name tag.  Kim must have spent months preparing each and every detail.  (In fact I know she did!!) 

The goody bags that were at each seat were filled with all kinds of vintage treasures donated by her sponsors. The rest of the day was filled with the laughter and chatter of old and new friends, crafting and learning new techniques from our three talented teachers, Carol Wingert, Kim Hesson and Beth Quinn.  Stay tuned for more pictures and details of the day!

Friday is almost here...

and I couldn't be MORE excited for this weekend.  Tomorrow (Friday) I will be picking up Jessi at the airport and off we will go to check into our hotel for the weekend.  Then its off to Kim's to begin our incredible weekend.  Friday night is French General for a bracelet class and to meet the incredible Kaari Meng.  Then Saturday is An Artistic Affaire Deux with Carol Wingert, Beth Quinn and Kim Hesson teaching classes.  Finally, Sunday, we will finish up the fun filled weekend with a trip to the Santa Monica Airport Flea Market and lunch at Spitfire Grill.  Can't wait to meet up with all the incredible friends that will be attending and meet more new friends.  I'll be sure to take plenty of pictures!  Hope you weekend is awesome, too!