Monthly Photo

Oops, almost forgot to post the picture of the month .... and here it is.  The photo was taken by a friend who captured this amazing photo in her beautifully landscaped backyard a few weeks ago.  Enjoy.

Summer Clipboard

I love to collage clipboards and vintage is my favorite.  The theme for this latest one is Summertime.  The quote reads as follows:

"I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer."
(F. Scott Fitzgerald)  The woman on the vintage post card has her summer parasol and leaving her work behind.  She definitely has style.  Hope you are enjoying your summertime.

July 4, 2011

Happy Fourth of July everyone!  We are celebrating our country's 235th anniversary of the signing of our Declaration of Independence. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."  (favorite excerpt)

Last year I started an album with family photos of our July 4th celebration, family veterans, plus pics from our Washington D.C. trip in 2007.   New photos will be added as Frank and I hosted our second annual 4th of July pool party here at Rancho Buena Vista.  We also celebrated 3 birthdays, Granddaughter Sidney (11 years), Grandson Tyler (6 years), and nephew Chris (?).

Monthly Photo

Thought it would be a fun idea to post a favorite photo each month so this is my first entry for June as it comes to a close.  I took this photo in Jennifer Blue's store in Santa Margarita.  Love the simplicity of the vintage shoes and little bird.

Altered Jewelry Box

Friend Sue found a little jewelry box at a thrift store for a buck and gave it to me.  Ummm . . .  first I papered the outside lid, added some embellishments but was not satisfied with the results.   Instead of displaying jewelry maybe a button box would be a better idea!  Cream and black toile paper and a music napkin was applied to the lid with Mod Podge. The fun part was selecting all the vintage buttons, flowers, beads, etc. and gluing them in a circle onto the lid with tacky glue.  Buttons and a few rings were placed inside the box.  Everyone has a button jar so select a  box or other surface and start gluing on your favorite paper, buttons and trinkets.  Enjoy the photos.

Meeting Jenny Doh

While in Costa Mesa my friends and I visited Piece Makers, a country store filled with vintage items, fabric, wall art, candy confections and much more.  This store offers classes in many categories of art year round.  To our surprise author Jenny Doh was there to sign her new book Signature Styles. She is an amazing and talented gal and we loved her outfit!  Check out crescendoh.com.

Here is a pic inside Piece Makers.

And of course, an album of our journey to CREATE had to be created.

CREATE

Friends Mary Jo and Sue made reservations to exhibit their crafts at the Artists Faire, part of the CREATE mixed media retreat in Costa Mesa May 18-22.  I was invited to tag along and display some altered books.  We arrived at the Hilton and peeked in on the numerous art classes being taught then set up our items in the vendors area.  At six pm the doors opened for buyers and they came in abundance.  There was so much acivity, laughter and harmony in the room, it was amazing.  Below is Mary Jo's beautiful silk items.

... and Sue's creations!

 

Of all the art displayed this was my personal favorite, the "Sea Woman" made from gourds.

Mary Jo sold a lot of silk, Sue's tags sold like hot cakes and my books were admired by all.  It was a great time.