Junk 2 Jewels Boutique

Off for a little R&R

 The last time we visited this beach location ( only last month), I was able to capture some awesome images including this one! I will be relaxing, reading, sunning, and catching up with good  friends for the next 5 days.

The Junk 2 Jewels school is underway, we have 6 or so students, and are almost ready to start our first project! yeah!!! If you have been thinking of joining, don't hesitate to much longer.....when we begin or project, class will be closed. Thanks so much to my wonderful girls who have joined. Once we get going there is no limit to what we can create. Im looking forward to sharing my workspace with you when I arrive home! 

The Final Cut / Project Decorate

It was a tough choice, I considered so many nice fabrics for this project.  I finally made my decision and these are the ones that made the final cut. I really love the way they all work together. (they work for me anyway), some of them having a more vintage textile feel to them while others are so vivid and contemporary. Perfect for the  "Look" of the new office. The fabric on the far left ( blue and green) and the black and white damask print I found here. The hot pink and bright teal and green are  designs of this cool chick, and last but not least... the pink floral with the yellow and orange center is a favorite pick from this fabric goddess.   These girls would never steer me wrong! lol The plan is to cover the contemporary lamp shades in wide strips of each of these fabrics. Its very hard to see, but if you go back to the original post you can just barely see the lampshade on the night table. LOVE IT !!! Tutorial to come in the next Project Decorate Post!

Wedding Day Pictures

Thanks for all the  compliments on the photo of the Vintage suitcase  in my last post. I  didn't plan on posting about this event, but since you were so curious about it, I'll share. I was asked by a girlfriend to take  some pre-wedding pictures of her daughter and the groom. Of course I jumped at the chance to learn and gain some real life experience in this kind of situation. Boy did I learn a lot! Mainly that I have Ssooo much to learn about exposure and I made a vow to ONLY shoot in Manual mode ( to have more creative control), which make things difficult when just beginning. I did manage to get  enough shots to make them a sweet memory book! Here are a few that are going  in their book. What do you think Mrs Kwan? Any advise?

 

Christmas Barn Sale

Another "Fun Friday"  (as my group of school moms call it ) at the Barn.  We all found items that we could not live without.

My favorite find was this vintage leather suitcase. It was just what I was looking for for a wedding shoot I did on Saturday...( my very first )!!!

Grand Indeed

   Simply breathtaking! As we stood in  amazement of the awesomeness, Robbie asked the simple question we  were all pondering, " WoW, how did God do that "?

This was a fun Natural Water Slide Park in Sadona.  Huge smooth rocks  and deep pools made for a very fun and refreshing day in the hot Arizona sun.  As much fun as it was, its good to be home. I did not anticipate the work load awaiting me though, so off the the studio ( garage) I go..... before its gets too hot!!! lol

Rejuvination

In just a few hrs. I will be off to Arizona. Among  our stops will be the Grand Canyon. I cant wait. I don't remember ever seeing it as a kid.  I'm just as excited as the kids are! lol. I hope to take some good pics and will  share when I get home. Have a safe and wonderful 4th.                                    

Day 2 with the girls of LilyPlum

Day 2 ( Sunday) the plans were to go to the flea market and then to "tea" ..........so I'm thinking to myself, only a couple hours at the flea market? thats like taking a kid into a candy store and only only letting him, buy a bubblegum out of the machine!!! lol, clearly my  friends  have NO idea what a vintage obsessed freak I truly am. I broke the news to them gently that I was not going to join them for tea, but rather continue on in the hot sun, dragging my full cart around an asphalt parking lot, in search of more finds. They were very polite, and went on with out me. LOL

 

I picked up some really great bottles, I'm working on  them now, some have a  hint of purple in the glass and others have a slight blue tint. They are gorgeous! I'll show you when they are done!

Weekend with the girls of Lilyplum

I just had the most fun weekend. I spent it with some of the girls who make up The most incredibly talented children's Boutique designers on E-bay.  We collectively sell under the name of "LillyPlum" I have been privileged to be a part of this group for quite a few years now. We have chatted daily, shared our dreams and disappointments, our hopes and desires, but had never actually met in person. Of course I felt like I knew them all ready, but spending an entire weekend with them was too much fun. We stayed in Pasadena and filled the days with shopping, eating,  and lots of giggling. Sat. afternoon we headed for Beverly Hills to hang out until lunchtime. Far be it from us to  just go with the norm, we had to have desert before lunch!!! at this ever so trendy joint. YUMMY! they even had mixes to make at home.

Paradise Cove in  Malibu is where we had lunch. We were just a tad late for our reservation, so we frolic-ed on the beach and took pictures on the pier.....Ahh..I could take a lot of this.

 

Come back tomorrow and see the fun that was to be had on Sunday!!!

Memorial Day

I wanted to share some photos of an annual Harley ride that takes place where I live. On Memorial Day, thousands of Harleys ride out to the Veterans Cemetery for a memorial ceremony. They pass right by the house. We grabbed some chairs and went out to cheer them on. Lots of them Vertans themselves. It was an Awesome site, quite moving.

   

Taking a Break

I decided yesterday that since my work load had lightened ( Mothers Day Madness ), that I would take a little break and go to my favorite part of Town..." The Mission Inn" What a little treasure we have here.  The Mission, now is a Hotel, its filled with restaurants, shops, and spas!  Come along with me I'll give you a little tour....

This is where I parked. Right across from the side entrance to the Mission Inn. This entrance is used for guests who choose to take advantage of the Valet parking services. Notice, I'm across the street ! No Valet parking for me!! lol, O.K., lets go.....

First order of business is to stop in here to make an appointment for Monday!

Lets Hit a few favorite shops.....

Love this little shop!  Wendy Monrroy's Its  jam packed with gorgeous  florals and gift items. I bought a pretty little wicker basket to  hang on my  front door.  I'll show you that later! I  would have asked her if she minded me  snapping a few pictures for the blog, but frankly......she intimidates me! So lets stroll on down the street.

Aahhh....."Mrs Tiggy Winkles" Lets go in!

I did pick up a few things in here! Mostly  IDEAS!!  hehehe .This was a great little escape from the studio! ( hot garage ).  I'm  headed  home now to package up a few necklaces for hubby's guy friends who have  waited till the last min. for gifts  for their  wives...     Today will be spent  finishing up a "Home Banner"  for Tracey!  and wrapping up some other smaller projects. Thanks for tagging along.. Chat with you soon!