ART SHARE - SPECIAL BLOG CANDY

(This post will remain at the top of my blog until I get 5 winners)

I came across this idea while visiting Anna's blog.  It is a fantastic way to get to know other bloggers and to share our art/work!

The first 5 people to respond to this post will get something made by me!  My choice!  For you.  It could be anything--a pillow I am particularly pleased with, an altered object or something else all together.  My choice!  This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make, though I hope you do.

2. What I make will be created with you in mind so you won't get something I already created unless I think it suits you to a 'T'.

3. It'll be done sometime this year.  (Probably sometime in the next couple of months.)

4. You will have no clue what it's going to be.

5. The catch?  Oh, the catch is you must off this blog candy on your blog!

Re-post this on your blog, offer something you make - your choice - to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog, then come here and post.

Add my name to the #1 slot on your card - I am your first participant on the new list for the people who join your giveaway.

The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment here telling me they did (I will go to your blog to check that you have posted this) win a handmade gift by me.  Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!

So, who will those first 5 people be?

1.  Anna

2.  Melinda

3.

4.

5.

LAUGHTER, CONVERSATION AND MARGARITAS

Yesterday was out monthly San Diego Blogger Girls lunch at Miguel's here in Coronado.  We had a few new faces show up.  Linda, movie star Debbie and me.

Val Hebert and Nancy Michaels

Val showing one of the vintage hankies Nancy brought for Deb and explaining how some people in Coronado use them as curtains.  Linda piped up, "Is that because houses are so small here?"

We all had a good laugh about that.

As soon as Linda arrived, she decided that the tree branch above our table would be a good place to swing from after enough margaritas or wine.  Sadly, this did not actually happen.  We were all good and kept our consumption of alcohol to a measly one drink each.  It was lunch after all, and I,  for one, had to get back to work.  Maybe next time!

This is one of Val's newest purse designs.  She can't make them fast enough and as soon as one becomes available, it is sold!  The time required to make this lovely bag is 10-12 hours!  It was so hot-off-the-press, so to speak, that the last needle and thread Val was using were still inside the bag.  As with everything she makes, she uses old wool sweaters.

Val was wearing this lovely pin, with a giant 'diamond' in the center.  She couldn't remember who the artist was who made it, so I can't give credit where credit is due.

We had a fun lunch, with great conversation and those delicious margaritas and yummy food that Miguel's is known for.  We missed Dana, Joy and Jane and hope that out next lunch will include them as well.

SLIPCOVERS--MID-PROCESS AND FINISHED

Showing the process--this loveseat has been measured and cut.  

Another view

And the back/side view

In the same room, the chair gets a new 'dress' of its own

I cut just half of the slipcover when I am on site.  It takes less time and, unless the piece is a one-armed chaise, the side I don't cut is a mirror image, so it is not necessary to cut the entire thing while there.

This particular chair had the kind of arms I really dislike because there is no arm front and the inside arm piece has to be tucked to fit properly.  It's just a personal preference thing.  In some ways, this kind of arm is a bit easier because there are less pieces to cut and less welting to make.  Still, I like arm fronts.

This is the back of the finished loveseat.  I used vintage mother-of-pearl buttons instead of covered buttons.  The reason for that was I couldn't get the backs of the covered buttons to snap on and unless I wanted to make a special trip to UFO (Upholstery Fabric Outlet) to have them use their button making machine, I had to come up with an alternative.  I think the mother-of-pearl buttons look nice.

Front view

And the finished chair.

I should have taken a 'before' picture so you could see just how much of an improvement this new slipcover is.  You can kind of tell in the cutting pictures what the underneath chair looks like.  Trust me, this is way better. The husband even liked it, which is a really good thing.  A lot of times, they don't have an opinion one way or the other.

THE KREATIV BLOGGER AWARD!

Debbie from Breathing Beside Us has given me this award for my blog!  I am so excited and happy to be recognized.

Part of the award is listing 7 things that I like, enjoy and/or love:

1. Working for myself.

2. Living on Coronado.

3. Sunshine. (It makes me happy.)

4. My friends and family.

5. Being creative.

6. Color!

7. Emily (my 17 year old kitty)

And now for the best part.  I get to pass this award on to 7 other bloggers!

Sandy Carmada @ Sandy's Creations

Michelle Legler @ Mosaic Cottage

Deb @ Romancing The Bling

Ele @ A Bit of Pink Heaven

Nancy Michaels @ Shab-n-Chic

Melinda Cornish @ Melinda's Fabric Fancies

Valerie Hebert @ Val's Art Studio

As always, it is very hard to stop at just 7, since there are so many great, creative blogs out there.  Again, thank you to Debbie Hodge for this honor.

BEACH HOUSE CHIC

This is the before love seat.  Not lookin' too spiffy.  And it does nothing for the room.  It just looks blaa.

This is the after.  What a huge difference a slipcover makes!  The room suddenly looks brighter and more inviting.  The white pillows also break up all the stripes.

A lot of people I know do not like sewing with stripes or plaids because of all the matching involved.  I think it is much easier.  It also appeals to my sense of things needing to be in perfect order.  I like when everything lines up, so to speak.    I've been told that I am very technical in my work, and when doing slipcovers, that's exactly what you want.  

I GOT TAGGED

Okay, Michelle  tagged me.  Actually, it was more like blind sided me just now.  Here's the deal: I now tag Joy, Michelle White, Maija, Debbie, and Sandy.  You have to, right now, at this very moment, stop what you are doing and take a picture of yourself.  Doesn't matter if you just rolled out of bed.  Do it RIGHT now!  And then post that picture and tag 5 others.  No fair primping, though I did take several shots until I was satisfied.  It's all in fun and if you are mad at me, talk to Mosaic Queen Michelle, because she started it!

ONE WORLD ONE HEART GIFTS

I was fortunate enough to be chosen the winner of 2 different giveaways.  This beautiful glass heart pendant arrived soon after the One World One Heart Extravaganza ended.  It was made by Karen Klomparens from Lampwork Beads & Glass Art.  Her blog is fire-n-sand.  Check out her amazing work.

And then yesterday when I got home from running errands, there was a package from Anna Timm.  And in it was this adorable card and the stamps you see below.

I just love the bikini stamp.  It looks like something I'd wear!

They are all so beachy and colorful.  I love it all!  Thank you, Anna.  Check out Anna's blog, Anna Banana Creations to see more of her wonderful talent.

SWEETPEAS

After the egg dying and the fabulous brunch Mary prepared, we were off to the new Sweetpeas, where the fun continued.  We had an Easter egg hunt with prizes!  What a treat!  

Pretty papers

Vintage trims and old pictures

Vintage clothing

Vintage purses (I got a lovely one) and gloves

The outside of the store, in the process of being painted with apple blossoms.

Painted tins, trays and thermoses

Debbie Hodge's winged heart shirts

Love all the pink

Vintage hats, as well

Hmmm?  Whatever shall I buy?

I just love hats!  

A fun time was had by all.  When you are in Santa Monica/Venice Beach, you must stop by Mary's wonderful Sweetpeas.  You'll be glad you did.

EGG-CEPTIONAL SPRING SOIREE

Last Saturday was the Spring Soiree at Mary's house in Santa Monica.  We arrived to find the tables all decorated and lovely.

Yummy cupcakes among the decorations!

There were chocolate eggs and bunnies for all.

Miss Pearl

I love the color of these peeps.

The fabulous Robert Mahar (mahardrygoods.com) and the other reason we were all there.

Linda came from Temecula.

Mary's sister, Leslie, napping with Scrappy and Pearl.

Me and Sheila as queens.

Mary and Robert

The eggs I tie dyed.  It was remarkably easy and the eggs are beautiful.

Me (still as a queen) and Robert