Post #5 Rosette Swap!

As a continuation of French Cupboard's Rosette Blog Party, Jill, from Gypsy Brocante, is hosting a rosette swap, how FabUlous is that!

Click on the button above to get all the details and join in.

Post #4 – More Birthday Bling!

My pal Jodie posted last week about a huge bling score she made at a local yard sale and as I read it with great jealously, I realized she had a few hints in it and she was sending some of it to ME for my birthday!  Anyone who receives anything from Jodie is in for some true FabUlousness!  This is what I found waiting at my door Saturday night . . .

And the goodies inside, beyond FabUlous!  Thank you so much Miss Jodie for my birthday bling and vintage lace – I Love it!  Think I might be wearing those hoops as is!  I said it before and I’ll say it again, I LOVE me some Jodie!

And, did you notice that I’ve started using the watermark feature in Windows Live Writer?  You can find Jodie’s tutorial here.

Post #3 – I WON!

In honor of Karen Valentine’s feature on the new site Blog Guidebook, she hosted a give away for a set of custom sidebar tags.  I thought the winner had already been chosen, but when I stopped by her site, there it was . . . I won!  I’ve been thinking about a new design and feel for my blog and now is the perfect opportunity to work with an expert!  Please stop by Karen’s  site for your blog design needs.  You’ll find lots of samples of her work as well as free tips & tricks.

Thanks so much Karen,  I can’t wait to get started! 

Post #2 – Dinner, Drinks & a Tiara!

My Texas gal pal, Charlene was in town for Kim Caldwell’s Artistic Affaire Les Sirenes event last week.  I wasn’t able to attend, but I made sure I was able to scoop up her up and have a very long dinner so we could catch up.  We met last February at Art & Communion in Dallas and we instantly hit it off.  It felt so good to give her a big HUG.  And if you know Charlene, you know that here signature always says HUGS!

She is such a doll and brought me the most FabUlous birthday gifts.  How cute is this Lolita glass; it has the “Wild Thing” cocktail recipe on the bottom of the glass!

Then she made me this adorable fairy princess box that  barely made it through airport security.  I totally lost my mind when I saw the FabUlous vintage tiara inside!  This was one of her purchases at Paper Cowgirls; think I might need to go next year!

Ok, I’ll admit it . . . I did try it on when I got home and it fits perfectly, of course!  Can’t wait til we meet next March at Round Top.  Love ya, girlfriend!

Post-a-Day this Week - #1 Twisted Sistah Workshop

I have so many things to share that I thought I’d do a post-a-day this week.  I want to give each event it’s proper attention.

First up  . . . I attended Diana Frey’s Twisted Sistah 2-day workshop held in her amazing home studio in San Luis Obispo on July 10 & 11 with my BFF Lia.  This was a serious jewelry making workshop and we came away we so much knowledge and inspiration.  It’s hard to put into words, so I’ll tell you what my gal pal Charlene says about Diana . . . “Once you’ve attend one of her classes, you’re addicted!”  Everywhere you looked in Diana’s studio there was something to catch your eye.  We ooood and awwwwd over everything.  Of course, I was only there for about  2 minutes before a huge tray of vintage rhinestone bling magnetically drew me right to it!  LOL  We learned how to make our own brass freeform necklace base, brass and sterling chain links & headpins, soldered using a butane torch and worked with resin.  Everyone came with their own theme and color choice in mind.  Some pieces were petite and delicate and then there’s my baby . . . I am in LOVE!  How freak’in FabUlous is this!   

I wasn’t planning to use the resin bezel piece but when I saw the picture of the redhead Diana had in the group of images she set out for us, I had to go for it and then I just happen to have my entire stash of bling with me to finish her off. 

We had such a great group of talented ladies . . . (back row left to right:  Lia, Carla, Julie, Susan, Diana and Mari then me & Carrie in front).  Sorry I didn’t get everyone’s blogs.

I will definitely be taking more of Diana’s classes cuz I’m addicted too!

I’m in a FabUlous Soldering Mood!

I spent my birthday at Terri Brush’s solder class last Sunday and actually left with 2 finished pieces!  Ok, ya know I had to “tweek” them when I got home and then had to find just the right vignette for the photo shoot.  But then we all do that, right?

First up, the FabUlous Fairy Box.  It’s a six-sided box with a mirror bottom.  Now that I know how to create one, there will definitely be more in various sizes added to the collection.

Next, we made this adorable double-sided house complete with roof.  We started out with a paper collage (I tinted mine with Vintage Photo Distress Ink) and then added some bling cuz ya just gotta.  Sorry about the glare, but I think it helps show the bevel in the glass; these pieced are really thick.  The roof and base are double-sided slides with coordinating paper and are soldered to the house.

Everyone received this cute little charm in their class kit.  And then Terri gave me the chandelier crystal necklace as a birthday gift!

There was some major focus going on, so I didn’t get any class photos but you can check out Cheryl’s blog for more.

Next up, a soldered jewelry class with Diana Frey; can’t wait!