Tidbits . . .

I started putting this post together and realized I had so many different things to talk about. I wanted to share them with you because I might need to take a blogging break. My time is not my own these days and I have a lot of irons in the fire. So . . . here is my slightly disjointed, tidbitty post.

Tidbit 1. . .

These sweet white porcelain petals are from the wonderful Ulla.

These are actually for a special project that she and I have been cooking up together. We had a blast the other day creating away in her studio. Have I told you just how wonderful Ulla is? She is one of the most talented and generous people I have ever met. She inspires and cheers on the process of creation in other artists. She passes on her knowledge and love for art in a way I have never seen anyone do. I have learned so much from her and I am so very grateful to have her in my life.

Ulla, if you read this I hope it doesn’t embarrass you, but it is the truth. I had so much fun the other day with you. Thank you for a wonderful afternoon of creating!


Tidbit 2 . . .

I have this beautiful standing lamp that I packed away awhile ago, but recently I brought it back out to bring more light into my living room. The lamp comes with a wonderful lampshade which has a separate gauzy cover. The only problem is that I misplaced the cover. I decided to create another one and didn’t want to spend a fortune. I thought sewing material onto the frame of the shade would be the most economical way to go.

I found this unusual material at Joanne’s. It was really different from what I would normally choose. When I got home I took my needle and thread out and sewed it onto the frame. I wasn’t very neat as I sewed, but I do like the overall effect.

Tidbit 3 . . .

My hubby brought this home to me, today. It is a lemon chocolate truffle! Did you know that chocolate sales during this time have increased by 20%? I thought it looked sweet on my pink rose petals.

I’ll be back soon.

It started off with beauty and ended with . . . ?

There I was, relaxing at the end of a long afternoon in my favorite chair. My eyes casually wandered to a little divan near me, and there sat my camera. The light was quickly fading from the day. Would I have enough time?

I hurriedly pulled the camera from its case and opened the drape wide to capture the last rays of the sun. What would they love?

I’ll share details. We all know that the magic of life is in the details. I began clicking away.

A beautiful antique vanity tray

A sweet little leather pincushion with hand beading

A simple vase . . . My hand was unsteady as I took this photo. I love the overall softened and blurred effect that was created.

A yummy Laduree box in mint green!

Capturing the details went well until the last photo, a shot of my crystal doorknob . . .

I’ve heard of this sort of thing happening. You know how people will claim to see faces in their toasted cheese sandwich or cooked salami? I never thought it would happen to me, but it has. As I examined the last photo, I saw Them. Can you?

Weird, huh?

Hope your week is going well!

Rose Petals

These beautiful petals fell from my roses this morning, and I couldn't resist taking this photo of them. Thank you to everyone who left a comment on my last post. Your responses touched my heart.

Wishing you all a beautiful weekend!

A Beautiful Visitor

She was a beauty. . .

She struggled weakly from flower to flower and then stumbled onto the edge of the planter. I could see that something was wrong with her wing. She was losing a portion of it. Her delicate beauty caused my heart to flutter. I gently let my hand down and to my surprise she climbed on. She sought the warmth of my hand and turned toward me as if to say, Thank you.

I was fascinated by her delicate legs and the beautiful markings on her wings. I wanted to save her. I brought her into the house and placed her in a glass container with flowers and water. She turned around and around in her space and seemed lost. I suddenly realized this was all wrong. If it were me, would I want to live out the rest of my life in a glass box or would I want to be free? My mind told me she was hurt, she needed me. But something about her delicate movements and how she kept tuning her lovely little antennae told me I needed to let her find her own way. I let her climb onto my hand once more and then to my surprise she flew onto my shirt! She could still fly even with her injured wing.

I carried her out to the garden and laid her on a flower.

She paused for a moment, turned her antennae toward me, and with a little bound she took to the air in erratic flight. I waved to her as she flew off, my heart breaking with love for this beautiful creature I had known only a few minutes. Tears sprang to my eyes, but they never fell. I could see her joy as she once again felt the wind beneath her wings.

Workshop at Castle in the Air

I have wonderful news. I will be co-teaching a paper shoe class with Miss Ulla at the Castle, August 8th. If you would like to join us, you can sign up here, just click on the classes link and then move the calendar to the desired month and date. It would be great to see some of you there.

I will be teaching my Marie ruffle shoe technique and Ulla has the most fabulous shoe design in store for everyone. You will love it!

Sharing my art and inspiring people to their own artwork is what I’m really about. The techniques I will be teaching in the workshop above will be for your own personal use and not for commercial reproduction. I’m sorry I have to put that disclaimer out there, but artists who make a living from what they create will understand my heart. I love to inspire . . . but copying another artist’s designs is hurting their livelihood. Moving on . . .



It was beautiful here over the weekend and my garden is overflowing with blooms. I’ve been having fun picking flower bouquets and placing them throughout our home.

A rose arch way in front of one of our windows is covered with sweet smelling roses. This year the roses seem to be bursting all over the place. I've never had so many flowers.

These gorgeous roses are a favorite of mine. They are called French Lace. There are a few double delight buds included too.

I threw my french doors wide open today. To take in the beautiful rose scented air.

The Sunshine at Last!

Rain . . . rain . . . rain . . .

It’s been raining here all week. It’s wonderful, but after so many days it can get a bit dreary. Yesterday dawned bright and clear and gave me a chance to take some photos.

On Monday, I drove to Berkeley to visit Castle in the Air. I had a specific purpose for visiting, which I will tell you all about later.

I purchased these sweet little mini crayons while I was there, and then visited another shoppe called Tail of the Yak.

Tail of the Yak is a fun shoppe with a gorgeous ribbon selection. I purchased some ribbon for a project and the shop keeper gave me this wonderful calendar. I love the scrolled carefree writing.

I’ve promised myself to one day take a calligraphy class. I would love to be able to write beautifully.

I want to wish a very Happy Mother's Day to all of the lovely Moms who take time to visit this little blog spot.

Have a beautiful weekend!

May Day and a New Creation

Yesterday was May Day!

Creating May Day baskets is one of my favorite things to do. We got up early yesterday morning and picked all these lovely blooms to create our baskets.

We place them on door handles or porch steps of unsuspecting neighbors.

There was another bloom I created as well. Her name is Fleur. This is my first attempt at anything like this, and while she’s crude, I love her. I need to learn to paint so I can give her a face. Still, there is something elegant in her facelessness.

She will be a gift to a sweet little lady who will hopefully love her.

Wishing you all a beautiful weekend . . .