Bloggerettes meet at the Mall

When I joined the Bloggerette Sorority I had no idea the creator, Karen, from Some Days are Diamonds, was practically one of my neighbors!  We’ve been emailing for a while when we realized we were just a few minutes apart.   Then the brainstorming began and we made a date to meet for lunch at an outdoor mall, Victoria Gardens.

Today was the day and we talked for almost 3 hours!  We have so much in common and know so many of the same people.  What an amazing world we live in where we can talk to & meet people from all over the world only to find someone who lives only a few minutes away.  We almost forgot to get a picture when we were outside of California Pizza Kitchen (aka “CPK”) when we snagged a guy to snap the shot.  Remember this was a “guy” and he didn’t think about the shadow on my forehead.  It’s already the size of Texas, so what’s a few shade marks when you’re with a new found friend.  So FabUlous to meet you, Karen and we will definitely be doing lots of things together in the future!

A Sparkling Give Away

Karen from Some Days are Diamonds is having a give away on August 15!

Click on the button to check out the details for your chance(s) to win.  Good luck!

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!

My Secret is out!

Today is Where Bloggers Create II day and my pal Jodie has shammed me into posting something! 

 

So here’s my story . . .  This morning I spent 5 hours, yes I said FIVE hours at the mechanic’s getting new brakes & an oil change on my beloved car (last years’ bday gift from DH).  Some how I think this will be this years gift!  LOL  Anyway, I had the brilliant idea to bring my laptop with me in the hope that I would be able to jump on a free wifi connection in the area and I scored!  I spent the entire time enjoying the amazing creative spaces of bloggers from all over the world and I only made it through the C’s!  I am inspired beyond imagination to put together some sort of space.  You see my secret is that I have the help of Victoria, Victoria’s Secret that it is, in my “pile of a mess of a creative space.”  Do you see her peeking out in the picture below?

I like small handle bags to keep projects in; not exactly sure what it is about them, but they really work for me.  I don’t have a craft space and my kitchen table is under all of that somewhere.  It’s glass so it sort of disappears anyway, right?  I am now on a mission and I WILL have something FabUlous to post next year.  Huge thanks to Karen Valentine for hosting this party for all of us to inspire one another.  The separate blog will be up for the entire year so you have plenty of time to visit all of these amazing places.

A FabUlous class . . .

And it’s on my birthday; what could be better!  I just found out that some of my girlfriends are already signed up, so I’m in too! 

Click here to register!

AND, if you post the link above, Terry will give you $20 off one of her classes!

ART SAVES . . .

Is Jenny Doh’s montra for her new venture, Crescendoh.  What a wonderful and oh so true statement.  I attended Jenny’s launch party last Friday night with about 200 of her fans, followers and partners in art.  We were greeted at the door with a complimentary glass of wine and these cool name tags.

Once inside, this incredible art quilt was on display complete with Sharpies for everyone to add their own thoughts and well wishes.

The venue was staged in a lounge vibe with sofas, cocktail tables, handmade centerpieces (of course) and mood lighting.  The tunes were spun by one of my friends, the FabUlous DJ Wanda.

 

There was a yummy buffet, make ‘n takes and speeches by Jenny, Suzi Blu and Melody Ross

 

Then the viewing of this truly inspirational video . . .

The event was just oozing with creativity.  Take a look at how Crescendoh design team member,  Tracy Schultz, used one of their canvas panels on a corset – simply FabUlous! 

Of course, there were photo opps; here I am with Melody Ross & my BFF, Lia.

At the end of the evening we were all presented with a goodie bag filled with lots of really cool products courtesy of the event sponsors.  Thanks Jenny for your inspiration and true devotion to ART.

A Tropical Charm Swap at the Island

A few weeks ago some of the local scrapbook girls gathered at Jackie’s beautiful home, better know as Hyland’s Island, for a tropical-themed charm swap.  We had great friends, yummy cocktails & food, FabUlous charms and even a few party crashers (the girls in the front of the pic are neighbors who heard a party going on and came on over!).

We started with a twist on the traditional white elephant gift and made one FabUlous charm that was plain-wrapped and set at the base of our Fire Goddess mascot. 

We proceeded to “steal” charms from one another until the last charm was opened.   Then we got down to some serious bracelet-making.  Take a look at this cool bracelet holder . . .

Since we had a small group, a lot of ladies made more than one charm so our bracelets were really full when we finished.  We also got a sweet surprise from Karen, owner of Scrapbook Oasis.  She dropped by and presented each of us with a cute gift bag containing 4 more charms!  Here’s some of the the finished masterpieces . . .

Before the night was over, there was talk of another swap.  Can’t wait!

Hey Ya’ll!

March just flew by and so did I!  I spent the first couple of weeks getting ready for a trip to New Orleans for a very special birthday celebration.  A dear family friend and the closest person I have to my mom, celebrated her 39th birthday on March 19.  We have an agreement, I’m 36 & she’s 39 ALWAYS!!  So I headed to New Orleans for an entire week of FabUlousness.  She lives every day to the fullest and I can only hope that I am as FabUlous as she is when I reach her age.  I’ve been to New Orleans many times as my mom was born there, but never by myself.  I went prepared with Yahoo maps & directions for all of the important points of interest. 

So after waiting for what seemed like forever for my bright blue Toyota Matrix with Colorado license plates rental car, I was off on the I10 with  my trusty maps in hand only to find that my exit was closed!  WHAT???  It’s late & dark and I have no idea where I am other than I’m NOT on the right offramp!   I was on the Causeway?  WHAT??  So after driving back and forth on that for about half an hour I decided to stop & ask for directions at a gas station convenience store.  At least the girls behind the counter were honest and told me they really didn’t know where I was trying to go.  I did call my friend, but since I didn’t know where I was, she couldn’t help me!  Ahhhhhhhh!  So I got back in my Matrix and drove past the on ramp that had a police car with flashing lights parked right at the entrance.  As I drove by, I could have sworn I saw cars getting on.  Hmmm, I’m gonna turn around AGAIN and see if I can get back on the I10 and there ya have it; I got on and my exit was the very next one and was at my friend’s house in about 5 minutes.  In the light of day, I saw that I was seriously down the street from her house the whole time!

We did a lot of “running around” as she doesn’t venture too far from home and of course, you can’t go to New Orleans without eating and boy, did we eat!  I had the muffuletta I’d been craving forever; actually I had two while I was there!  Click here for more info on this amazing sandwich.

We ate at Acme Oyster House which has been in business since 1910 twice, and we ate at Shogun, a sushi/tepan grill restaurant where we had a crawfish roll – how cool is that!

We went down in the French Quarter on St. Patrick’s Day in the afternoon so it wasn’t too crazy.  She lives about 15 minutes from the Quarter, but hadn’t been there in years.  If you’ve never been, it’s a lot of narrow, one-way streets some of which are blocked off so you can’t drive down them at all.  The entire area is off of Canal Street and looks a bit like a movie set when you’re approaching it.  They were actually filming an episode for a cable TV show on one of the streets – pretty cool!  I scored a great parking spot by the French Market and with a little help from a local (driving a Hummer), was able to figure out the new fangled parking meters they’ve installed.  Seemed sort of odd for these digital machines to be installed in such a historic area, but the city needs all the help it can get.  We had a great time walking around.  Most of the souvenir stores were decorated for the holiday but the real treat was all of the chandeliers – OMG!

 

And we found the most amazing store called Rendezvous in Jackson Square (bummer, no website).  Take a look a their chandelier and all of FabUlous goodies in the cases . . .

  

On March 19, we drove to Biloxi, Mississippi to the Beau Rivage Casino.  It’s part of the MGM/Mirage group and is very much like a Vegas casino.  It was only an hour and a half way, so it was like driving to work for me!  LOL  It’s located right on the Mississippi coast and there were still quite a few empty lots along the coast left from Katrina’s wrath.  We ate at the buffet where it was seafood night and then we had tickets to see Hair Spray; what a great show.  After the show, we decided to go wild and play some slot machines.  Here’s the big birthday winner herself; Miss Leah . . .

Yup, she won a whole dollar on this Kitty Glitter penny machine!  And here we are, the two 30 something girls!  She’s just the cutest thing; I love her to pieces!

My next adventure was to Grand Coteau, to meet up with a new friend I met at Silver Bella last year, Jodie.  When I told her I was coming to New Orleans, she told me about the famous 7 mile yard sale in Grand Coteau and I knew I had to go.  So, I headed out in the Matrix with Yahoo maps in hand at 6am on Saturday morning.  This place is past Baton Rouge AND Layfayette and many, many miles of bridge over swamps - yikes!!! 

If you read Jodie’s post, then you already know that the sale was a bust, but the day was the best.  Jodie met me at a truck stop where I parked the Matrix and got in a real car, Jodie’s Suburban!  LOL   She had a few friends with her, Sandi and Sarah.  She made each of us one of these FabUlous goddie bags (d0 you recognize the chenille?  It’s from another one of her comforter purchases!)  and she did actually find me a few things before I met up with them.  The shoes are just for the rhinestones; not to wear.  LOL

I wanted to bring her a little something from California and didn’t want it to be too “touristy” so what better than some sand from Orange County in a tiny vile with a few beads & a little bling.  Jodie is a FabUlous photographer & got a much better pic than me so I’m lifting this one and the ones of her & Sarah; thx Jodie!

 

                         Me and Jodie                                                                 Me & Sarah

We went to Jodie’s secret place for vintage velvet ribbon.  It was like walking into a time warp; like a Woolworth or Newberry’s.  They only take cash and the register is a crank-type – so cool!

Then we went to Rayne, the frog capital of the world, for lunch at Chef Roy’s Frog City Cafe.  No, I did not have frog legs, but the Cajun shrimp was FabUlous!  They have this huge metal frog statue as you go down the main road off the highway.  Sorry the pic is fuzzy, it’s from the Internet cuz I didn’t get one of my own.

And of course, we made a visit to the local Hobby Lobby and ya know I had coupons ready to go!  And why don’t we have them in So Cal???

On my last day in the Big Easy, unbeknownst to me, they were having a parade on the main street where I need to get on the I10; what is it with that I10??  Geeze!  So, I had to change my route to get on and lucky for me, I’d been on that main street so many times, I knew my way around and made it the rental drop to return the Matrix while eating my last muffuletta.  She did her job, got me all over Louisiana & Mississippi with Colorado plates and no tickets!

It’s good to be home ya’ll!

Oh and P.S. . . This post was published using Windows Live Writer.  Check out Jodie’s how-to post here.