2.04.2010

old stomping grounds all new...

I used to manage the 3rd street store and when I had recieved a phone call from a dear friend who invited me to the opening of the new Pottery Barn on 4th street in santa monica I was so excited to get together with him & share in this event!
Matthew is one who always makes me laugh! we entered, gave our names and we both came alive with smiles and laughter. we caught up with past employees and met the new staff. the event was wonderful and the store is beautiful!! if your in LA it's a must stop & shop...I did!

matthew briones one of my assistants who could always brighten the darkest days...
mario eason one of my design studio managers and best hugger ever!

crystal craze...


I purchased this beautiful vintage chandelier I believe from the 20's and from the looks of it the dirt and grime were as well! with tooth brush in hand I sat outside for hours cleaning and scrubbing only to finish 5 arms with 5 more to go, not incuding the crystal cups...rainy days are on thier way so my project should be done soon!

1.28.2010

amongst friends again...

CHA 2010
getting to see new products, new friends & friends we cherish even only for moments...
angela, myself, jenny & friend
the darling energized suzi blu & yes missing miss sarah!
angela was signing books at quarry
the beautiful kristen,
giving me precious advice, no jeweler am I...
maybe one day!
I could not resist a photo of these wonderful trunks
at the booth of tim holtz
and of course it is always a pleasure to see traci bautista.
these woman are always so warm, friendly, sincere & giving...
the day was wonderful & exciting!
I had the pleasure of meeting barbe st john, loved her!
you can see her jewelry and kristen's in the new "belle amour jewelry"
by stampington
"yes virginia art saves"

please check out jenny's blog highlighted above


,

1.17.2010

on angels wings...

we shall fly...
angela and I are loving these theatre dolls (santos caged dolls!)
mine will bless our new home. I just can't wait to take her out of her box and place her in a window, shelf or on a table & dress her in ribbons and pearls!


1.01.2010

and so the new year begins...

2010... feeling blessed and wishing all a healthy & happy new years!

12.24.2009

presents...


every christmas the ornaments unfold and the memories overflow,
they are presents I enjoy unwrapping every year...

merry christmas to all and to all a good night...

12.23.2009

jump...

for a joyful christmas!
merry merry & good cheer
for healthy & happy new year!

12.15.2009

for me?

what would christmas be without buying myself a little something, hmmm...I have kept this tradition alive since I was 12! this year, a beautiful kristen robinson necklace. I must say the wrapping was exquisite! notice the light shining under the song bird? how did she do that?



"Always remember the true spirit of Christmas lies in your HEART!"

Chris Van Allsburg - The Polar Express

(one of my favorite holiday books)

12.14.2009

happy hanukkah!

we celebrated our big dinner last night. it's hard getting everyone together and when we do it is wonderful celebrating the traditions of the season. happy hanukkah to my friends & family...

little monster for christmas?

how cute is he? I just had to share...
I did a little shopping at anthropology and this little guy caught my eye. he is thier gift card protect and holder! I got a little carried away and purchased several gift cards from $5.00 and up just to have this little creature! you must zoom in on the card, several beautiful words...and his teeth, well that's the gift tag!

11.30.2009

gather...

we gathered, we reminisced, we caught up on life, we gave thanks & we ate, and ate and ate!

11.22.2009

a seat for jenny...


earlier this month I sent jenny a dear little chair. I was at CHA and happened to meet her for the very first time. I was thrilled to say the least and loved, loved her outfit! needless to say the camera came out, the picture was snapped and jenny was perfect in every way for the little chair I was designing in my head at the moment! the top photo was an atc card to accompany her chair...
she loved her chair and wrote about it on her blog. I am still blushing with the excitement! her piece on chairs and how they relate to our importance was brillant!


I apologize the photo is small, click the photo see jenny in all her glory!

10.31.2009

have a witchingly good halloween...

isn't she lovely! "devilla" the witch of spells... as seen through the windows of Vintage at Heart in toluca lake. i loved the glare of the window it just adds to her mystery! she is a piece angela and I have been working on. she travels with a spell book, potions, webs and her fellow companion the owl of old. she's quite intriguing however if you dare to stare too long beware of what the potions may pour your way...

10.27.2009

350 pieces of art

My 1st time displaying my art in a show! I had three pieces in the 350 project at Zinnia (the event was quite a success!)- which went on sale last Sat at 3:50 pm in South Pasadena - you can see photos of all the pieces from artists all over the world hanging on the wall. check out thier website - www.zinnia.biz Very exciting!






Here was the info of the event: Join people all over the world to take a stand for a safe climate future, On Oct 24 2009, an international day of climate action. AN INSTALLATION OF 350 PIECES OF ART, THAT ARE 350 PICAS SQUARE, WILL SELL FOR 350 PESOS (26.55) EA, 350 CENTS WILL GO TO THE CAUSE 350.ORG AND ALL 350 WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT EXACTLY 3:50PM ON OCT 24, 2009
it was a cool event to participate in! What: An unusual art exhibit to bring attention to the environmental cause of 350. When: Oct 24, Our doors open at 10:00am and the art will be available for sale at 3:50 pm, exactly. Who: Artist from around the United States, know and unknown who will remain anonymous till the art is purchased and taken off the wall. Why: To raise awareness for the 350 cause and to allow school class rooms, our neighbors, our friends, published and well known artist all to collaborate in a world wide event together as one. Visuals: 350 amazing pieces of art as one to be deconstructed at 3:50pm on Oct 24th.

ZINNIA is a fabulous art escape! a quaint shop and a place definately to visit! get yourself on thier list!

10.25.2009

on the run

givin it all

a few weeks ago we went up to San Fran to visit our son who was having a cross country race. our youngest stayed with him while mom and dad visited the city, san ansilmo and friends.

how cute is she ?
in front of every other store front, made by the shop owners was a peak of halloween!
haley enjoying the college life with her brother for the weekend
a bit of shadow play I learned from my pal...
"enjoying eachother"

9.30.2009

the new zinnia!

last but not least! angela and I have finally arrived!

just kidding zinnia has thier grand opening at thier new address this saturday evening from 5-10pm. the store has a feeling of san francisco and new york! it's light, bright, and beautiful. overall you get a great feeling just walking through the door! (maybe it's just tamara & joe!)

the old counter replaces the old floor! what beauty!
from the brick walls to the artist gallery ( featuring joe carrion's wonderful art)on into the student room, yes I did say student room!!! not to mention all the wonderful goodies to be had! what a great day!

9.26.2009

where I live


wanted to share my last swap with you from in this house and garden yahoo group. the postcard swap" where we live". it was postcard size and a lot of fun to create. here's a peek!

9.22.2009

the exhibit!

please join angela and myself at pergolina (a great little gift boutique in Toluca Lake Ca.) she will be signing her books: mixed emulsions & in this garden. her art work will be on display for sale through Oct. 31st ( beautiful & affordable pieces, think gifts!) & we will be showing off ac studio 9! again think gifts! we do hope you'll join us!

9.04.2009

missionary man

I had the honor of taking judy wilkenfeld's class " just in case" recently. I met wonderful women whom we have become great friends. thanks to the beautiful souls Judy attracts. I believe we were all in search of putting our past's together. judy was a strong, fun teacher & friend. If you haven't taken her class I suggest you do and if you have you know you'll be taking it again!
I am still working on this piece and glad I didn't get to finish it so I could put more heart and soul into it. here are a few pics of my work & friends:



my grandfather lived quite the life! he was a cowboy, a sailor, accountant & eventually a carpenter for the studios. after he was a sailor in ww1. he travelled to utah and became a mormon missionary. in which he served his mission in the mid 1920's. his assignment was missouri. the first photo is of him studying on the side of the road. he labled this photo "stick work" it was a nick name (tall & thin). how could I resist the sticks! the series of three is of he and a fellow preacher. notice the the praying hands box, well judy was always saying how things just fall in front of her when she is working on a piece. I had a hard time finding religious pieces that would collaborate with his religion. judy lays out some beautiful brass items for sale and voila there is my box! I took a quote from the angel moroni. the paper was old but I distressed it, distressed the string, folded it up and put it in this beautiful little box!

lft to rt: me, reva, fana. judy, neena, leslie & renee! yes we are missing anna, joanna & beth.

8.26.2009

being tagged by riki!

I've been TAGGGGGGGED...
by my friend Riki Schumacher.

So now I have a million questions I'm supposed to answer on my blog and do the best I can...

What is your current obsession? yummy fabrics, acstudio9.com and worring when I'll have time for art!


What is your weirdest obsession? pearls & turquoise...I am so not the accessory type! but I'm learning!
What would you eat for your last meal? rack of lamb with garlic mashers!

What are you wearing today? a tank top, cargo capres and my great deal... kate spade sandals. love them!!!"
What are you listening to right now? my husbands feet walking up to bed...
What is your favorite ice cream flavor? haagan daaz mint chip!
What do you think of the person who tagged you? love riki! instantly we bonded at a class in california with stephanie lee (one of our favorites!) one talented, warm and friendly lady!
If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished, anywhere in the world, where would that be?
Little Fawn. a home i have fallen in love with! santa barbara would be very nice as well...
If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would that be? only an hour...wales england to do a little relative research!
What language would you like to learn? I always wanted to learn French,
i took classes in high school, forgot it because i never used it! would love to learn how to read hebrew...
What is your favorite color? Oh, I love greens and browns, on the earthy side
What is your favorite piece of clothing? besides my acstudio9 accessories? hmmm, my j.crew tank tops, can't live without them!
Favorite TV show? a big fan of HBO! true blood, enterauge, curb. I like californication too! 24, I have a feeling I'm really going to like the new eastwick show on regular tv.
If you have $100 right now, what would you spend it on? a mannequin i had seen today!
What is your favorite artist? This question just isn't fair. I have so many talented people I follow and admire. I can't list just one. Angela Cartwright, Sara Fishburn, Stephanie Lee, Misty Mawn, Nina Bagley, Judy Wilkenfeld, Ruth Rae, Kristen Robinson, Pam Garrison, Lisa Guerin & Judy Delgado just to name a few.
What is your favorite season? I would have to say Fall! The colors are starting to show, the smells, you get to wear light winter clothes & there is a clean cripness in the air that compares to no other!


Describe your personal style? Since retiring from the "professional" life, all those conservative designer digs are collecting dust! now...I'm trying to find my way other than work out clothes that seem to stay with me all day...I think I need a new do!
What is your favorite movie? ooh too many but here goes, the sound of music, gladiator, the cinderella movie with drew barrymore.
What inspires you? Nature and being outdoors. being organized. Taking workshops. Learning new techniques.meeting great people who inspire me.
What music do you like this week? I have been listening to mike sammis's new cd "hide" and I love to hear smooth jazz while i'm working on a project.
What is your dream job? to create and inspire in art! I just have to find out what medium best suits me!
If you can change something in the world to make it a better place, what would that be? no more hunger...
If you could change anything about you, what would it be?stop my procrastination...I love to cram in everything at the last minute! the surge of energy is a natural high for me!
What do you need? My husband, my kids, and creative opportunity and a space to put it in!
What blocks you from trying something new? My own fear of failure I guess. It is so easy to continue to do what you know, less rejection. But not as much fun. ( i'm keeping riki's answer it was just too good!)
if you were to take an art class who would you choose to take? Judy Wilkenfeld again!


Those are all the questions. I added the last one. So here are the rules:
1) respond and rework; answer the questions on your blog, replace one question that you dislike with one of your invention, add one more question of your own. 2) tag four other
people, and if you're interested in participating, I am tagging you!