Spring Tea Party

     Well, I guess this is pretty much everything.  You know all those things you would say to yourself you would do if you had the time.  Well, my time has come.  I have always wanted to have a tea party for the fun of it(I don't even drink hot tea).  I just love the image of the Victorian times and a special memory I share with my mother.  I remember when my brother and sister would be off to school (so I must have been 3 or 4 years old) I would get a little bored of Captain Kangaroo and Bozo the clown.  Quietly I would approach my mother's door.  She would usually be reading the latest and greatest paperback.  I would knock on the door....and wait to hear"who is it?" I would respond it is Miss so and so (I wish I could remember who my other persona was).  My mom would gleefully answer "Oh Miss so and so it is so nice of you to come by please come in.   I would explain I made a pot of tea and hoped she would join me for a cup.  It was all imagined  the tea would be poured in imaginary cups.  We would drink with our pinkies up, of course.  We would gossip in the most perfectly snooty

 accents.  My mother would indulge me by complimenting me on my most lovely taste in teapots and teacups.  I would thank her and wish her well until our next visit.

       So, what brings me to this tea party.  I met Lisa Kettell at Silver Bella last year.  I thought about it for awhile......my budget these days for doing artsy things is not too big lately.  I wondered if Lisa would come to my house for a tea party. Not a hesitation.....whe would be here.  Oh what fun I thought....I'll use my supplies and make some invites......I have about enough supplies to make petal fairies for 40 people......I have spring paper decorations to share with whoever comes................we'll trade atc's(I needed the challenge to make these too).............I'll make some french refreshments for my mom and hope this would be just as good as going to Paris(I know not even close).   Just a day of fun and silliness and some added magic of having Lisa Kettell in person show us her new book Altered Art Circus.  I can't wait.  I didn't blog before because it is a fantasy.......but, it is really happening.  I can't wait to share pictures with you all.  If you live in Central Jersey and you are reading this and think this would be fun too.  Why not join us........leave an email address and I'll give you more info.

     I also was asked by several people who received invites in the mail where I was able to find the most perfect rubber stamps?  They are character construction clear stamps by Catherine Moore.

Going for it

I love going to other blogs and being inspired.  Yesterday I went to Rebecca Sower's blog and found my favorite quote.  I couldn't find it for awhile.  When I read it---it helps me---it helps me a lot.  My children are very hard workers and as you know they are musicians, performers and artists.  They go for it.  They are successful right now.  It was a lot of work.  They now have to deal with waiting to hear from colleges and sometimes rejection.  What do you say when you are not feeling too successful yourself lately?  This quote I heard after my daughter auditioned for a solo for a solo concert and she didn't get it.  

"Use those talents you have.  You will make it.  You will give joy to the world.  Take this tip from nature.  The woods would be a very silent place if no birds sang except the very best."  Bernard Meltzer.  

Doesn't it ring true.  But, you as artists, writers, musicians, bloggers know what I am talking about.  It is hard to try for something and not get it.  Everyone has talents and we should do it for the pure joy of it -- not for the part---not for the job----not for the recognition----just for the pure joy of it.  These are trying times for all people.  I try to stay optimistic especially for my children.  The almighty dollar shouldn't measure our success---doing what we love should (too bad it doesn't pay the mortgage).  Anyway..... I did this banner from House of 3 for the joy of it.  Don't you love it?????  They are having an open house this weekend and I am going to be there for sure.  They do free printables......so I am in in in.  The banner was $6!!!!!!!! That is not going to break my bank.   Press the enjoy the process button to get to house of 3.

Welcome to Green Wednesday

I love participating in these types of events.  It motivates me to change my header, so it is timely. I also love the thought of new readers and I look forward to coming over to their blogs and meeting them.  Welcome if you are a new reader and I look forward to visiting you, so please be sure to leave a comment.

     I tried to remember how I last recycled something, and the first thing that came to mind was when I was organizing my art space.  I found a great typeset wooden box (I hate plastic!!!!!) and I thought oooh this would be great for all of my letters from K&Co.  After I took out all of the letters out of the boxes.......I couldn't throw the boxes away.   They are soo so pretty.  I left them in a pile for awhile.  One day while gathering inspiration.......I gave into an impulse to buy a pretty bird in a glittered box.  I put it in a spot where I would look at it everyday.  Days went by before I thought I could make a similar one with the boxes I have and supplies I have on hand.  A big part of my creating right now is trying not to buy any more supplies.  I do have to admit if I see a box of K&CO chipboard and I have a coupon I can't resist.  Did you see the new butterfly chipboard??????? It is pictured on top of the letter box in the first photo.  

Thanks for stopping by and I hope I inspired you in some way to do something with something because it is just to pretty to throw away!

Come On Spring!!!

These I found special for Pam from Frippery---thought you could use a look at some daffodils, too.



I don't want time to go by any faster.  I can't believe it has been more than four months since I lost my job.  It's now getting frustrating.  I was not too worried before, but the rejection thing is starting to get to me.  So, what do I do when I get a little blue......I head right to a flower farm.  This one is in the next town and they do the most beautiful displays and you can hear the water trickling in the fountains.  I am getting ready for tomorrow's green Wednesday, too.

Monday Monday

I am getting my easter eggs ready for a swap--I decided to picture them for a hint for the hunters.  This might be really hard.  I have only found two bloggers in my blogworld who are participating.  But, I do believe in the joy of the hunt.  This should be fun.  The Heidi Swapp bling was in Janet's package, too.
This is some of the paper goodness I won in Janet Hopkins CHA giveaway.  The letters I purchased at the house of 3(press the button that says enjoy the process).  It will be a SPRING banner---I had to have that right away.  The package also contained some invisibles by Heidi Swapp--this paper is so much fun to play with.  I feel so lucky to have my hands on it already.

The following is the last post for RhondaMum's for the love of french event.  I really enjoyed seeing all of her eiffel towers and french books.  The event was great and I am so glad I participated.

We did the cover in class.  I love how the clock on the cover looks like the clock in the Musee d'Orsay.  The Musee d'Orsay is an old train station with the original clock.  It at one time was going to be torn down.  It was saved and contains the most magnificent collection of Impressionist Art.



I love the clear pockets---perfect to hold some of my vintage postcard finds.

     I wasn't even sure if I was going to blog today.   I  am hosting a tea at my house in two weeks and wanted to concentrate on the invites---I really wanted to get them out today---didn't happen--I am frustrated with myself.  Worked on some things today and I kept saying I am going to post pictures of my memory book from Paris....so, I figured I would do that today.  I love this memory book I took a class with Janet Hopkins at Creative Escape last year.  Everyone is anxiously awaiting for them to be available---the last I heard was in March.  I was a little mad at myself because I didn't get much done in class.  But, now I am glad because this book was perfect to use for my trip to Paris.

Bon Jour!!!

OWOH One World One Heart winner here.  What could be a better Valentines weekend watching your son march in Disney----well find out you are a winner in OWOH.  And I won something french inspired and decoupaged (that's french too).   I remember I really wanted to win this too.  It is created by Iva Wilcox  .  Please check out her blog by pressing here.  

I think she is super talented and I love her vintage look.  I am so glad I received this so quickly to include in my french posts.  Thank you Iva!!!!!!!!!!
Jodie LeJeune  please check out her blog by pressing on this

celebrated her 99th post and hosted a giveaway.  Her giveaway was beautiful.  You HAVE to go see her blog for pictures.  She was so sweet!!!!!!!  I didn't win her giveaway, but Jodie made something for all who commented.  She made this beautiful eiffel tower bookmark for me.  It arrived in the mail yesterday.  I wanted to post about it right away.  I took everything upstairs to    photograph.  I fell right to sleep.  It was a really good sleep.  I really feel blessed by this blogworld.  To have people in your life who know you so well, that would make something for you......I am speechless, but absolutely grateful!!!!!!!!!  Thank you Jodie!!!!!!!!!!!
Look how pretty she wrapped it!!!!!!!  Make sure if you visit Jodie to leave a comment and encourage her to sell on etsy!
In the center is a metal box I purchased in Paris.  It is perfect to hold all the postcards surrounding it.  I am so happy with all of the postcards I was able to find.  I wish I could have purchased more, but my dollar did not go far.  The prices for french postcards were pretty reasonable.  Each card averaged around 1 euro.
I could not come home from Paris without these.  A SWATCH watch from Paris.  My must see was Laduree.  The box is charms they use in cakes during the holidays.  I had to bring home some pamphlets from there and some maps.  Had to get two, of course, so I can cut one up.
These are some books I love.  The Paris one with the bookmark sticking out I purchased at a flea market in Paris it is written in French and includes watercolor illustrations through out like the cover......love it!  Which one should I use Jodie's bookmark in?
I hope RhondaMum doesn't mind, but I am making this for the love of french week.  I just can't post it all in two days.  I will be posting what I was inspired to make since coming home from Paris.  I want to dedicate a whole post to the memory book I made and some things I am going to put up in Etsy.

Fun Facts about Paris

Since construction the eiffel tower has been painted 19 times, the most recent in 2008--it takes 15 months to complete.  The flag's three, equal-sized vertical stripes symbolize an equal union of the monarchy.
Admission to the Louvre is free the first Sunday of every month.
It took 180 years to build Notre-Dame--13,000,000 people visit annually
There are more dogs in Paris--approximately 300,000--than there are children.

Celebrez aujourd'hui!!

I took one of the maps from Disney World in french, so I would have something fun to say.  The title is Celebrate Today.  When I signed up for this event I was so excited I could share more photos of my trip to Paris at New Years.  But, today I am in Epcot in Disney World Florida and I can  share some pictures from here, too.  My computer is slow and I am slow too,  after vistiting two parks in one day.  I am going to leave you with some  images of today.  Tomorrow I will try some more posts.  The bottom picture is a set up scene looking down from a bridge as you cross over to France in Epcot.  I love this most about France.  I love the scene and how it romances the artist.  I love how the french love and appreciate art.  The Louvre is  an experience it is amazing the size of it.....the amount of people visiting it.   My favorite time period in Art History is Impressionism.  I love the Victorian time period.  I love the colors, the light, the costumes, the flowers, the blue skies, on and on.  My favorite is how Monet really romances the images he paints.  My favorites are the studies of Notre Dame.  When  you see Notre Dame in person and you go inside you wish for the Monet image-----light and bright.  Notre Dame is really a dark structure with no light on the inside and gargoyles on the outside

Through all of the artists of the Impressionism you really see Paris as the City of Lights.  It really is the most romantic place on earth.  I love it and I am so thrilled to have been able to visit Paris in person.  So, today I was able to revisit France in a completely romantic way.  There were flowers, no crowds, a bakery, french wine and warm Florida sun.

Shine Baby Shine

This is a thrill of a lifetime....my heart was beating so fast.  I am thinking how is my son feeling leading his high school band down main street in Disney.  It is just so exciting.  It is a beautiful day here in Disney.  I tried to get some good shots, but everytime there was something good behind the band I was shooting the picture directly into the sun.  This was the best shot---thank goodness for photopass!
Sharing a moment I hope you will understand, because my husband is sure I am nuts at this point.  So what, I have a blog. I like to keep up with it, I had a word for the year and it is SHINE, so what's wrong with walking into the bathroom at the Dolphin hotel in Disney and gasping with excitement when I see the word all over the toiletries.  Please oh please understand my moment and reassure me I am NOT crazy.......thanks!!!

Valentine Swaps

Above are the cards I sent out for the greeting card swap.  I love the anticipation of seeing what I get in return.  I haven't been disappointed yet. 
These were the cards I received in the greeting card swap Heather Bluhm hosted.  I give you all such credit for the links, because my info I wrote all down when I was photographing.  I left it upstairs.  My husband is working from 10pm at night until 8am in the morning--He needs his sleep----I can't go up there again.  I already was wrapping Valentines gifts, creating an ad for my daughter's play program and printing out itineraries----I just can't do it.  If you would like to know who the artist is who made something, please leave a comment and I will be glad to supply the info.
This was the box I sent to my partner.  Thank you Dolly for hosting the Vintage Heart Swap! 
Maria, You were such a great partner.  Look at all of these goodies.  Even a vintage valentine--I love it--what fun!!!!
It was so nice to receive something homemade.  It's a pocket made out of red felt.  I love it so much I hung it right up on the mantle and forgot to include when I took a picture of all the goodies.  Well, I am off Disney.  Happy Valentine's Day to you all.  Good luck on the One World One Heart giveaway contest.  I heard it's over 900---WOW!!!!! I had to stop going there I think when it was 700---I would get lost for hours.

Catching Up

You think you are bad, I just got around to opening the Christmas gift my sister gave me.  I love it! I filled it up right away.  Thanks Cheryl!!!!
I wanted to show my sister (the new grandmother---I am the great aunt) man I must be feeling old---I really needed to clear that up. I filled the box she sent me with all of my clear stamps.  I am going to start weeding through my things and selling more, I swear.  What am I going to do with all of these stamps?

Baby Love

It was such a nice feeling to hold a baby.  What a good baby he is. We even got to babysit while mom and dad went out to do laundry and food shop.  
My mom is so thrilled to be a great grandmother.  It is really something she has hoped for.

Proud Mom and Dad with new baby Brady.  Look his outfit even says "GER" short for my name--no it really said Tigger.

King of Trombones

This is a scene from Allaire State Park.  I drove through there each day for jury duty.  On the sixth day of serving jury duty the case was settled without the need of our services.  I was actually glad to serve,  I felt useful for the first time in a couple of months.  I also needed to get out  of the house and enjoyed having people to talk to and to hear their stories was interesting.
My son, Ian directing the warm up---what a thrill to see.  I thought of my dad and my father in law often.  They both loved jazz and big band music.  It's sad to think we can't share this with them.  I do think they were listening.....I hope that's what heaven is.  
     I always thought my son was talented, but last night he was king of trombones.  It's hard to see, but they played that song and the director placed Burger King crowns on all the trombone players--nice touch.  They played some really enjoyable music, of course some Disney to get ready for next week.  Next week at this time we'll be in sunny Florida to see them march in the Magic KIngdom and Universal.  I am telling you wishes come true.

Lucky Day

It's finally snowing here---I love the snow.  I came home and went through my normal routine, and I found a notice on facebook....I started facebook during the Super Bowl---I know Springsteen was the highlight.....than the commercials---I loved the Bob Dylan Forever Young Pepsi Ad.....then I was bored....so my daughter set me up on Facebook.  Yesterday was fun making new friends and leaving comments.....but, today I received a note in my inbox from Janet Hopkins.  She said I won her giveaway of some goodies from CHA.......yea!!!!!!!! Please hop over to House of 3---you can get there by pressing the enjoy the process button on the right.    I was able to take a class with her at Creative Escape....Above is a picture of me at Creative Escape...look at all those prizes---I didn't win one but this is just as exciting....and eek to make my day even better Rhonna left me a comment today!  Their new site is a lot of digital---which I love, but I am in a learning mode--not too comfortable yet.  Their motto is inspire.create.love......I think it is great. Heidi Swapp the talented third of the trio that make up House of 3.  I have to tell you taking classes with all three of these talented women and following their blogs is such a treat. I am so glad they are a team and can't wait to see what the future brings.  I have to write Heidi a note, but maybe I will just say it here.  When I took Heidi's class she featured Paris rubber stamps in her project and each time I pressed down with the stamp I made a wish that I could be the one to go to Paris with my daughter.  As I was making the project I thought I would finish it at home and make it a countdown to Paris for her as she was hoping to go in the Spring with the high school.  Life took some twists and turns and I am home from a job I

 lost in October.  My daughter says to me one night after getting the paperwork---couldn't the two of us go for the price of my high school trip.....knowing my skill at getting some pretty cheap rates I said well sure.  In passing I mentioned it to my mom and she said she wanted to go too and pay for the trip.....DREAM COME TRUE!!!!!  I can't help but think of me listening to Heidi and feeling all the emotions she was opening up to us about.......that all made it happen.  Not very scientific.......but, truly it makes me still feel I can wish on stars or rubber stamps and truly BELIEVE and wishes come true...........not guaranteed.....but with hope and belief and positive thoughts I think this is true.  I have been leaving comments for about two years trying to win something.....and I won today.   Thanks Janet not only for the prize, but for reassurance that if you hope, wish, believe, have faith.......one day a wish will come true.  Can you tell I am going to Disney soon?  OOOh I almost forgot at Creative Escape they leave you a surprise at night.......one night everyone received one of the aprons I am wearing in the picture above.  I love it.....if no one else is home it helps me feel more creative.....and yes I have caught my daughter wearing it while she is painting.