I have been Gilded!

My weekend in Dallas was heavenly FabUlous! When I said this was going to be THE event that I attend in 2010, I wasn’t kidding.

On Friday, our FabUlous friend Heather picked up Cheryl and me at DFW and we were off for a Texas style mexican lunch and then on to Red Shed Antiques in Grapevine where we were greeted with a big Texas welcome.

Last stop for the evening was Hotel Palomar where we had a pre-event dinner at Central 214. The food was amazing and chef Bylthe Beck of Naughty Kitchen fame came out to visit with us. She is such a hoot and even posed with us.

Now, imagine 2 entire days, each one with an amazing project where new techniques were learned and talent & inspiration enveloped you the moment you were welcomed into the former church, now home of A Gilded Life.

Saturday started with lovely fresh fruit, muffins, coffee cake, made to order mocha coffee and mimosas for all. Before the first project we were presented with a beautiful heart necklace from Debbie and Shea. Everyone also received a goodie bag from event sponsor Where Women Create filled with FabUlous things from, Beacon Adhesives, Excel craft knives & DMC floss just to name a few. Each place setting at the work table, which accommodates about 20, was set for a day of jewelry making taught by the FabUlous Lonnie & Natalie. I will never look at soldering the same way – so cool!



They had the bar set up with extra chain & tools for our use as well as some of their one-of-a-kind pieces for inspiration. We also had a FabUlous soldering station where we leaned some really cool, or should I say "hot" techniques.

Before lunch we took a break to do our swaps. Mine was a one-on-one called Cupid’s Toy Box. We were given a completed questionnaire from another participant and were to fill a box of goodies for them that they would enjoy and would provide inspiration. My Cupid was Marie Jenkins and what a sweetheart she is. Take a look at the goodies inside.

I was Heather’s Cupid and this is my box to her. I was very pleased with the way it turned out and she loved it too.

We had a light lunch and then more jewelry making. Class was paused for a break so that prizes could be given out. The first was this one-of-a-kind necklace made by a collaboration of Debbie, Shea, Lonnie & Natalie and I WON it. Sorry, just a tad excited about that!

The jewelry making continued and here are my completed neckalces . . .

Dinner was from Macaroni Grill with dessert provided by one of the attendees, Shannon. Did I mention how FabUlous this entire event was – and this is just the first day!

Day two started with a lovely brunch and the selection of our lampshade frame and fabric color. This class was taught by Debbie & Shea and is such a FabUlous idea. I will never look at lampshades the same either! LOL The bar was set up buffet-style with tons of lovelies like vintage chandelier crystals, and glass glitter to add to our creations.

We took a break for a make-your-own taco bar lunch and then more prizes were handed out. Everyone had received something by the end of the event. Each one of us completed an amazing creation just as unique as it’s creater. I was determined to get mine home on the plan even if it meant I’d have to wear it as a hat! Luckily, I was able to squeeze her under the seat & she made it home with all lights in tact – phew! Here she is after adding some FabUlousness from my stash.

The event came to a close with a tour of this heavenly 16,000 (yes thousand) s.f. home. Debbie and Shea (and Robert, Shea’s husband) opened their home and their hearts to us all and I will never forget the wonderful time we had. I saw old friends, made new ones and look forward to attending many more of their events. My HeART is truly full.

Me & my roomie, Cheryl and me & my new friend Charlene.

HeART & Communion

This is going to be THE event that I attend in 2010! I met Debbbie and Shea of What Happens Next, a mother-daughter team at Silver Bella last year and if you read my recap post of that event, you saw a ton of amazing projects that they inspired. I am beyond excited to experience their FabUlouness first hand. RUN over to their blog and check it out!

Happy New Year!

Here's to a FabUlous new year filled with health, happiness, good friends and lots of glitter!

Hope you have a wonderful holiday with family and friends.

Fabulously Charming!

Last night I hosted a charm swap at Scrapbook Oasis. We had 20 participants and every charm was a work of art. I just love seeing everyone's different charm ideas in mass. Our colors were red, pink and turquoise. Everyone came ready to receive their charm bags from my dressform tree and make a few extra charms of their own to make their bracelet unique to themseleves. We had sweet treats and felt mats and beads sponsored by the store.

Thanks to everyone for a great kick off to the holiday season.

Tis the Season . . .

Well, my Santa Baby came through 6 months early this year with a new car for my birthday, so I can truly say there isn't a thing I need or want. I'm so looking forward to enjoying the sites and sounds of the holiday season with my family and friends. Hope you have a FabUlous holiday season as well.

Gobble Gobble

Hope you have a FabUlous holiday with family and friends.

I am in AWE! (Silver Bella part 2)

After the opening dinner, the much anticipated swaps began and there were 32 of them! It was like Christmas. I tried to see as many as possible, but it was pretty much a zoo. First were the group swaps and then very late in the evening were the one-on-one swaps and we stayed up for all of them. I particpated in the Holiday Fabric Fat Book hosted by the FabUlous Michelle Geller. Here's the finished masterpiece and my page . . .



There were receipe book swaps, embroidery swaps, apron swaps and crown swaps just to mention a few. The ooo's and ahh's, smiles and tears of joy continued for hours. There just aren't enough words to express the talent of these amazing women.

We also gave out hostess & roommate gifts as well. I made personalized gifts for my peeps by starting with a pearl initial and created a charm dangle with a Tim Holtz fragment with each girls' blog banner and coordinating beads. Michelle took a much better photo of hers . . .



Friday started 2 full days of classes and my favorite was Rebecca Sower's cigar box. I brought my own photos to use as a tribute to my mom & grandmother. It's still a work in progress, but here's a close up of the photo collage. . .

Friday night was vendor night and night of 100 aprons. So many yummy things to choose from.

I think eveyone had on an apron of some type, but not me . . . Honey, I don't do aprons! So, I made myself a hostess skirt in true Lucy fashion! It ties in the front with a big double black satin bow and I added a huge vintage rhinestone buckle I found at the Brass Armadillo - perfect!

More classes on Saturday and a closing lunch where Jo Packman of Where Women Create gave a truly touching and motivating speech. There wasn't a dry eye in the house. She also made eveyone a bookmark that was wrapped and waiting for us at each table setting.

I met so many wonderful women . . .

Michelle, Cheryl & Me

Karla


Mendy from Texas

Take a good look at that "mum corsage" she's wearing; it was incredible! The Texas Bellas did a pre-bella swap and wore them for all of us to see. I so want that one, Mendy! Think I'm going to have to make my own cuz I don't she's gonna give hers up!

Chantal and her mom, Maryse - such lovely women

Lastly, here's a pic of some of my Silver Bella goodies. Can't wait til next year!

I am in AWE! (Silver Bella part 1)

Silver Bella women are beyond amazing! I was agasp with utter and complete awe the entire event. I have so much to share; where to start . . .

Here are the So. Cal girls arriving in Omaha, ready to hit the ground glittering.

Kim, Valerie, Joy, me, Gina (bending over) Rebecca, Cheryl & Jenny. Maija (our AZ girl) forgot her camera but got this great shot with her iPhone.

We checked into the hotel and headed out for a FabUlous dinner at Upstream. Ok, can I just say, Omaha rocks! It didn't matter where we ate, at the event, sit down restaurants or fast food, ALL the food was delicious! These people know how to eat!

We had all planned to come in a day early and do some shopping on our own and then the FabUlous Scrappy Jessi offered a day-long bus trip for 60 of us and ya know we were all on that bus, baby! The first stop was Brass Armadillo, a huge antique mall where I found a few baubles & struck a Scrappy Jessi pose.

Next stop was St. Peffer's Italian restaurant where we had the whole place to ourselves for a delicious buffet lunch. Before chowing down, Tiffany took this great photo.

But, we didn't linger over lunch because Hobby Lobby was just across the parking lot and for those of us who don't have one in our state, we were on a mission.

Next stop, Archiever's (another store the So Cal/AZ girls don't have; whatz up w/that?). I had a list from 2 of my BFF's who were not attending Silver Bella and was able to get it all, baby!

Jessi thought of everything. She was our official tour guide, gave each of us a prize, a goodie bag with store coupons, copies of the current sales, snacks, a bottle of water and most importantly shipping tags to ID our purchases at each stop and when all was said and done, the overhead AND under storage on the bus was packed!

We made it back to the hotel in time to freshen up and find a table at the opening dinner. I had the best roomies, Cheryl and Rebecca.

There's still so much more to share. I don't want to leave anything out, so I'll post more soon.

Is it November already?

Yikes! Where has the time gone? I've been jammed with classes, projects and swaps and now I'm headed to Silver Bella next week. Good thing bags fly free on Southwest cuz if this is what I look like on the way there, who knows if you'll even be able to find me on the way home!



I think I have everything packed but I'll be double checking this weekend. As a first timer, I only signed up for one swap knowing that it had to be over the top FabUlous and I'm must say I'm quite proud of myself. Its called a "Holiday Fat Book" and it's made up of 6x6 double-sided decorated fabric pages. I can't wait to see all the beautiful glitz and glittered creations that Silver Bellas are known for. I'll be sure to post pictures when I get back.

Vintage Masquerade Revealed

Vintage European masquerade balls are the theme for this mixed media project. We will create a 6x6 mini book housed in its own box with a coordinating hand mask. This is a project that’s perfect for display and will definitely be an inspiration for the season’s upcoming masquerade events.

Opulent fabrics & trims, vintage beads and extravagant feathers all in rich colors are just some of the elements used to create this project. You’ll learn lots of techniques using some of my favorite products including Glimmer Mist, Distress Ink, embossing powder, vintage glass glitter and even some jewelry making. Each kit will also include an exclusive, hand-made mini masquerade charm.

This class will be held at Scrapbook Oasis on Friday, October 16 from 7 to 11 pm. You can sign up on line here or by calling the store at 949-756-2729 to reserve your spot. Hope you can make it.

Mystery and Intrigue

Le Maison Rocco Masquerade is coming to Scrapbook Oasis in October! Here's a glimpse . . .

Details will be revealed soon.

Catching Up . . . .

Wow, where did the week go? I had such a great time at Mystic Paper's event.

We distress, glittered and Glimmer Misted our hearts out. Thanks to all the ladies who attended my class. I hope we can do it again when it's a tad cooler. And FabUlous news . . . I have a few kits left! If you'd like to purchase one, just shoot me an email and I'll hook you up.

Following my class in the same room was Mike Putnam's class, The Dark Side of Youth. So I just cleaned up the space and switched gears from instructor to student. What a cool class! I was so excited to be able to take one of Mike's classes, he's so talented. Here's my (unfinished) version . . .

I also have another class announcement coming soon, so please keep checking back.

Vintage Shore class date has changed!

Kim and Jennifer at Mystic Paper have asked me to move the date of my Vintage Shore class to be part of their Five Year Anniversary Celebration; another FabUlous honor for me! The new details are Saturday, Sept.12 from 2:30 to 6pm. You can check out all the event details here. It's going to be a great event and I'm so excited to be a part of it.

Over the Moon Excited!

I'm over the moon excited to announce that the latest class in my vintage series, Vintage Shore, will be held at Mystic Paper in Mesa, AZ on Saturday, August 29 from 10:30 to 2:30.



This will be my first time teaching at Mystic Paper and what an honor it is to have been asked by Jennifer & Kim. I’m so looking forward to meeting all you AZ ladies.

We will turn a 7 Gypsies 5x7 naked album into a one-of-a-kind project in muted tones of the sea with an eclectic collection of papers, rich fabrics, pearls, beads & shells.

You’ll learn lots of techniques using some of my favorite products including Glimmer Mist, Distress inks, embossing powders and glitter. We’ll also be doing a little ribbon embroidery and even some jewelry making. Each kit will also include an exclusive hand-crocheted vintage seahorse charm. Vintage images will be provided or you can use your own.

The class is already posted here and the sample will be at the store by the end of next week. Seats will be limited, so please sign up early if you plan on being in the neighborhood. Class will be held on CE weekend, so if you're on one of the bus tours, you'll also have a chance to see it in person. And if you've never been to Mystic Paper, you're in for a FabUlous treat!

Twenty Two Years!

This weekend we celebrated our 22nd wedding anniversary. Of course, I was a child bride . . .

July 18, 1987


July 18, 2009

Vintage Shore

The next in my series of vintage mini books is coming soon. Here a cool peek . . .



Keep checking back for date and location.