ARTISTIC AFFAIRE - PART TWO - THE CLASSES, SWAPS AND THE GIFTS

The first class was taught by Lisa Kettle. I think I may have been the only person in the room who was not familiar with her or her work. Now I am and I love it! This is the bug I made. I chose to put her tutu on her head instead of in the traditional place. I thought if I put it on her waist, the polka dots wouldn't show.

This is the 'shadow box' that the bug was supposed to be glued into. I decided not to put her in because I think the styles are too different. I love the picture that went in the background.

This was the third class of the evening, taught by Ruth Rae. This is not what we were supposed to make, but I knew that I would never, ever wear a fabric cuff (just me and my dislike of most jewelry.) So I improvised and made a small wall hanging. This is where I used the lace from the goodie bag. I couldn't use it on both sides because of the glue Kim used. It was too hard to gather it and sew it on, so I used another trim on the right edge.

Our second class was taught by the fabulous Julie Haymaker Thompson. As with all the classes, everything we made, even though we all started with the same pieces and parts, was different. Mine is actually not quite done. I want to add (probably) the word 'GROW' to the top where there is a big, blank space.

This adorable charm was made by Bryanna as a gift to all who participated in the Mask Swap.

This charm is from Jessi. The front is a tiny version of the invitation for Artistic Affarire and

the back is a Barbie Doll and says 'Fall in LA'. It was very sweet of her to make me one, as we had never met before. She is just delightful and so bubbly and full of energy. I have always heard so much about her and am glad I finally know her.

This wonderful hanging was done by Jenny Morgan as a thank you for being in the Soul Canvas Swap.

A close-up of the bird on the top of the canvas that Jenny Lor made for me.

The whole canvas. Jenny did the quote in a very unique way - Lines from the quote are on the sides and bottom as well. I love it! Thanks Jenny.

This a a close-up of the pinup girl on my amazing apron made by Holly Stinnett. It is such a cool gift.

A larger view of the apron. Sandy commissioned Holly to make it for me. I love the colors, I love all the design elements she used, I just love the apron. Thanks to both Sandy and Holly!

This is the mask I received the in mask swap. It was made by Nicole and it is simply unbelievable. The details, the workmanship are all, well, unbelievable.

A close-up view

FINALLY--ARTISTIC AFFAIRE, PART ONE

Well, I just dropped Sandy at the airport. It has been a very long 6 days. I don't think we really stopped at all. I definitely need a vacation from this vacation!

Since so many have already posted their pictures from Kim's lovely event (and because I didn't take as many pictures as I thought I had and those who know me know I do NOT like fall colors which made taking lots of pictures very challenging for me,) for today's post I am just posting pictures of the room and of Maija and Sandy.

This is what awaited me when we arrived on Saturday morning at 8:30a. As always, Kim does not overlook a single detail.

Goodie bag on the chair back. (The lace around the whatever-you-call-it came in handy for our last class.)

I took this photo first thing, when the sun was coming in the window and from the front, it was just a dark blob. From the back, you can actually see how beautiful it was. I just never remembered to take it from the front later on when the sun was no longer a factor.

The room before the madness, I mean the classes, began.

Maija and Sandy

Me and Maija

Me and my roommate, Sandy.

ARTISTIC AFFAIRE L'AUTOMNE

I am off tomorrow morning to Los Angeles. I am picking Sandy up at LAX at 11a. Let the fun begin!!!

Next week, Wednesday, 23 September, in honor of Sandy being here, we are having lunch at Miguel's at 11:30a. Check Deb's blog for more info.

RALPH LAUREN BLUE AND WHITE FLORAL AND BLUE AND WHITE STRIPE

This floral print reminds me of a delicate china pattern.

The back side, with buttons.

The back of the slipper chair. No buttons needed and would probably look kind of silly. Some styles of chairs really don't lend themselves to having buttons.

Front of chair

The chair got two different slipcovers, so my client could change up the look of the room.

A lot of times clients aren't sure if having a gathered skirt on one piece means they must have them on all the pieces. In this room, the loveseat has a gathered skirt and the chairs both have tailored ones. There really are no 'rules' when decorating your home. I say, do whatever you love, and who cares what anyone else thinks!?!

TIM IRVING ART PHOTOGRAPHY AND FRENCH CHARMING GIVEAWAY

A few weeks ago, Karyn hosted a giveaway and I was lucky enough to have been chosen the winner! To enter, you had to check out the etsy site of Tim Irving, choose the 2 photos you'd like if you won and then let Karyn know you wanted to be in the drawing. Simple enough, right? Well, I won! And the 2 photos above are the ones I picked. They arrived last week and I finally got frames from Michael's for them. Now I just have to figure out where to hang them. Thanks again Karyn and thanks to Tim.

I love them!

MORE OF THE EVER-POPULAR WHITE DENIM SLIPCOVERS

I delivered these slipcovers yesterday. Although I love and prefer gathered skirts, I definitely don't prefer making them. This skirt took 12 widths of the fabric, which is a lot. I kept sewing and sewing and gathering and gathering. This was all going on 2 weeks ago when it was so stinking hot, and working was very challenging. My workroom faces west, which means the afternoons are brutal for me.

My client ask that I do buttons on the throw pillows.

The chair and ottoman

Back of chair. The sofa back is the same, but it is against the wall.

Close-up of ottoman

The new living room. The old fabric was also denim, but dark blue and light blue and the back cushions had light blue denim on one side and a blue and white toile on the other. The room now is much fresher and clean- looking. As almost always happens, once you do one thing (or, in this case, 3) everything else seems tired and in need of changing. The rug may be next in the process. I don't slipcover rugs, though, so for that she's on her own!

PHOTO SHOOT FOR BETTER HOMES & GARDENS AND WHITE DENIM SLIPCOVERS

This is, obviously, the before shot of the chair. It is quite old and, I swear, the seat cushion (not pictured) weighs 20 pounds. I can't figure out what's inside to make it so heavy!

If you look very closely, you can see how much the sun has faded the chair. It is much darker on the deck and as far up the inside arms as the cushion sits.

These pictures were VERY hard to take, as this room is on the 3rd floor and it was quite sunny. I couldn't get the flash to work because it was so bright. Anyway, I apologize for the quality, or lack thereof, of the photographs.

Taken from outside on the balcony.

My client made this small throw pillow to tie in with the window seat (not visible) cushion.

My signature button-back.

This home is being photographed today (Thursday, 10 September) for Better Homes & Gardens magazine. That's why I was in such a rush to get them done. My clients were running around, trying to get everything ready for the stylist, who was on her way yesterday and for the photographer today. I am hopeful it won't be an entire year before this issue comes out. I'll let you know.

PRETTY PINK LAMPSHADE

I decided to make this lamp shade from scraps of fabric and a pinkish gimp I had. I had in my mind what I wanted it to look like. This is sort of what I was thinking. I used a pink feather boa because the trim I wanted could not be found.

This is the shade on my lamp in the living room. It so did not match anything in my living room, but I didn't care. At some point I added the boa at the top, too. After about a year, I finally moved it to the bedroom, where it went a little better.

This is the lamp that inspired the one I made. I wanted trim more like the one on this lamp, but never found anything even remotely similar. Even though I do not like the black and red color combination, I still really like this lamp shade. Actually, the lamp, as well. This picture was taken in a shop (the name of which I can't remember) up in Petaluma.

FRENCH EMBROIDERED LINEN

This fabric was ordered from and came all the way from France for these slipcovers. My client inherited the furniture from her parents and it was in desperate need of updating.

I also did the window seat cushion you can see to the left.

Rounded chairs, my favorite! Oh, that's right, not so much. Definitely needed buttons to get it on and off.

The sofa

Button-back, although they are strictly decorative to match the chairs. This client has since moved to France to live. I think this furniture was given to her sister who lives in the States.

What you can't see is while I was cutting these covers, Allison's kitten was 'helping' me. He was under the chair and/or sofa and when I least expected it, he'd pop out, pin me good and scurry back under the furniture. I left was lots of pin holes in my hands. At least with dogs, you can put them in another room. Cats, on the other hand, well, they aren't so easy to control.

HONEST - I'M THRILLED

This award was given to me by Val.

The 'rules' for this award are to (1) link back to the person who who gave it to you.

(2) List 10 things about yourself that are known or unknown:

1. I don't eat read meat or pork. Actually, nothing with 4 legs. And haven't for almost 20 years.

2. I don't like any kind of beans.

3. I did not get the chocolate or jewelry genes.

4. I am a morning person.

5. I walk between 8 and 15 miles almost every day.

6. I come from a very large family: I have 6 brothers and 1 sister.

7. I won't kill a spider in the house because it is bad luck.

8. I love to do the crossword puzzle every day.

9. I can't remember to water the backyard even when I see the grass is dying.

10. I listen to books on tape while I work.

And (3) pass this award on to other deserving bloggers:

Sweet Up-North Mornings

Fat & Sassy

Tales From An OC Cottage

Just Me and My Art

Shab-n-Chic

Pass this along if you like. Otherwise, just know that I think your blog is special and wanted you to know.

ANOTHER AWARD!!!!

Wonderful and sweet Laurel gave me this award, oh, last week or maybe even the week before. I am seriously behind in everything, but thought I'd better do this post/thank you before even more time has passed. Now, I got an another award, but I'll post that next time. I can't seem to do both in this one. Anyway, thank you again Laurel! I really appreciate it!

And I would like to pass this award along to:

toriejayne.blogspot.com

beingruby.blogspot.com

an-ocean-beach-lovers-place.com

sweetfinds.typepad.com

A LITTLE GIRL'S DRESS

I made this dress for my best friend's daughter. At the time she was maybe 7 or 8. She is now almost 17! I always loved the details. I am obviously obsessed with covered buttons and contrast welting.

I rarely make clothes anymore. I am so used to sewing slipcovers and other home furnishing-type items, that sewing anything else is hard. It takes me an entire day to make, oh say, a pair of pajamas and it drives me crazy that it takes so long. Besides, it truly is cheaper to just buy clothes than to make them. And much quicker.

I also made this Alice in Wonderland costume for the daughter of another friend. She loved the dress so much that she wore it long after Halloween.