Show and Tell Monday ~ I have cool friends :)

Hi,,, I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas. I wish you all a very happy, safe and healthy New Year! I had a wonderful Christmas. I also have to say I am so glad its over. I have been over the top too busy and I truly feel like December blew up in my face. I am off work from my day job until January 5th. This weekend I have been doing lots of spring cleaning. I am nearly done, so the rest of the week I get to play, plan and organize my studio and my thoughts on what I want from the new year. I am really looking forward to all of the great things I have ahead of me.

I hope Santa was good to everyone. I have some very special friends and family and I was very blessed. I have a really special friend who knew I wanted an art easel, and she had one mailed to me. I love this beautiful easel and I cant wait to use it. I got alot of gift cards from JoAnn's so now that my work and chores are done (lol) I am going to go buy all of the art supplies I can carry! Another very special friend sent me these gorgeous display items. They are beautiful and they actually match a couple pieces I already have. They will just be perfect for using for photographs or doing shows! Next, what would Christmas be without children. These are my 3 grandkids, Mikey, Mya and Jace. They had a blast on Christmas and I am so thankful that we were able to make there day so special. Have a great week. ....... gail

show and tell Monday

Hi, I hope everyone is ready for the holidays. They are fast approaching. I still have quite abit today, but it will get done when its done. I am not going to get stressed about it. I have already been lucky enough to have received a couple of awesome gifts. If Christmas was over now I would be so happy and incredibly blessed by my friends. I was wrapping presents today and I was not looking so forward to that. My cats love to wrap presents. They wait for it all year long :) As you can see they are quite pooped out!

Saturday I had some shopping to do. I went with my sister and my friend. The stores were pretty crazy. Lots of crabby people for sure! I just wanted to get out of there, so I have some more to do tomorrow afternoon. We went to a favorite place of my families. Its a citrus grove called the Orange Patch. Its a cute little general store. The navel oranges are so sweet and juicy, they are just like candy!

I wish you and your familys joy in your world and peace in your home this holiday season and always! I hope anyone traveling safe arrivals. Have a holiday season of sparkle and charm.... much luv, gail

Show and Tell Monday

This is my transformation project this week. I bought these white jewelry displays from a Mervyns going out of business sale. They were only $2.00 each, but a little beat up and dirty. So I decided I could fix these up. I love doing this and I think it may be a new addition to my website. I have also been fou fouing up any dress forms I can find also. They were for my own display purposes but I have had a great response to this idea, so I am going to run with it and see what I come up with. Have great week. Until next time.......................gail

Pink Friday :)

Christmas comes but once a year. Anticipation is part of the season. But to see the most gloriously wrapped gifts under the tree makes the anticipation nearly unbearable. Wrapping the gift is where you get to have some real fun. Even plain paper can be so pretty when decorated with vintage ribbon bows and millinery flowers. A broken costume pin can add some sparkle. If you have pretty holiday fabrics, you can have your own unique source for wrapping gifts. A Vintage table runner can be a great wrap for a bottle of wine or sparkling apple cider. A hand-crafted gift tag personalized for the recipient shows your thoughtfulness. Add a personal touch here or there, it is an opportunity to express both yourself and how much the recipient means to you. Join the Boutiques at Make Mine Pink this Friday, December 12, as we present some of our favorite gift wrapping ideas and hints because we believe opening a beautifully wrapped gift brings as much pleasure as the gift itself. www.makeminepink.com/pink-friday

I-CAN, Turner Broach and Christmas Trees

I work for a small family owned company called Turner Broach and Cutting Tools. Its a machine shop and I still dont quite get what they do out in the shop, but the end result is these parts end up in jet engines. My boss, Kay is involved in a local community charity called I-CAN. It has been in existence for 17 years and their goal is helping the at risk youth and children. They do some very amazing things with some even more amazing results. Friday night was the 5th annual Festival of Trees. this is a silent auction and Christmas tree auction to benefit this charity. Its a semi formal dinner banquet as well.

This year Kay donated a 7 1/2 foot tree. We needed to come up with a theme and after alot of thinking, and just plain running out of time, I came up with Snowman Christmas. It was a tree decorated with red and white, snowmen of all kinds, icicles and snowflakes. And ALOT of bows. So Thursday Kay, her Brother John, and myself headed for the ballroom of the San Marcos Hotel in Chandler to set out tree up. Meeting all of the other participants was very exciting, and the other trees were just beautiful. I was covered in glitter from head to toe. LOL

Friday night came, dinner was wonderful. Beautiful wreaths and arrangements were offered for the silent auction, then the Tree auction began. The first two trees were from the police department and the fire department. Both the Chief of Police and the Chief of Fire were there to get it started. They were really funny and they mangaed to get $6,500.00 each for their trees. The started on one side of the room and the trees were going for $300.00 to $600.00. Our tree was the last. The tree next to ours was titles Sex in the City and it was very cute and came with a large pink high heel chair. I really thought it would get the most bids. My boss was bidding on it, and I didnt realize at the time, she was trying to get it for me. I thought that was so incredibly sweet, but their was another woman who wasnt leaving without that tree. LOL she won with a bid of $1,500.00. Then our tree was up. The paddles started flying! I was so excited. The auctioneer even joked "Now we have an auction!" When it was all said in done the winning bid was $1,800.00. I was so excited to have created something to help out these kids. After all of the trees and silent auctions were tallied they earned an amazing $80,000.00 . It was an amazing evening. There were elected official in attendance as well. After the auction was a local band called The Chris Parker Project. If your local and ever get a chance to see them preform,, do so, there were great! So, I have added some pictures of Turner Broach, some of the other trees entered and our Snowman Christmas that I was very proud to be part of.... until next time...... (())gail

I have to share a contest with you :)

I love, love, love faux desserts. They are just adorable and NO calories. They are really cute on dessert plates in the kitchen, or they also make really cute ornaments. One of the best faux dessert artist is Jenni of http://www.jenniboriginals.com/ . Her work is flawless. She has so much talent. She is having a blog contest to give away some of the treats she made while appearing on the Martha Stewart Show. All you have to do is leave a post on her blog before Dec. 7th. Just visit http://www.jenniboriginals.blogspot.com/ to enter. You dont want to miss out on the fun.

Show and Tell?

I love participating in show and tell. However this week I hit the wall. I have been burning my candle at both ends and stretching myself way out there. I have not made one thing all week. While sitting still and doing absolutely nothing, I did make some descions though. I cant be in everything that comes along. In addition to this I have my day job and a pet sitting business as well. So, I have decided whats working and what isnt. Make Mine Pink and my website are my main focus. I also will be in the new lollishops. I have been in the beta phase and I really like it. I will keep a few things at the antique mall and market that. I have a few other online malls that are going to be deleted. And etsy as well. Etsy is just not my venue. It works wonderful for some, but not so much for me. I think this is a very good thing. So even if I didnt get anything made phsycially, I did make something mentally:)

I have a pet sitting job this week. This guy is Marley. I love,love,love this dog. Him and his owner live out in the desert though. I have to go out there after dark and there are coyotes! I run in the house. LOL These are some pictures from Marleys house. It is very beautiful though.

This is my Grand daughter Mya and her BFF Savannah.(These pictures are for Shell, my bunny friend. LOL) This is at a small mall area near my house. Mya is the shorter little one:) So, this is my show and tell for this week. Have a wonderful holiday this week my friends. Hugs, gail

Make Mine Pink Holiday Bazaar

Hi, I wanted to share some exciting shopping news with all of you. Make Mine Pink has a brand new online catalog for the holidays. The shop owners have really gone out of their way to make this special. There are wonderful gift giving ideas and beautiful holiday decorations. You will see alot of sales and specials. This is the link, so grab a cup of hot chocolate and your slippers and leave the mall to the others. www.makeminepink.com/extras/holiday-catalog.pdf .

Pink Friday at Make Mine Pink

Pink Fridays are back :) Its a themed shopping experience each friday. This friday the theme is Chistmas. There will be all kinds of exciting holiday decorations and gifts available this week. Many shops are having great specials and sales. But hurry, its one day only, tomorrow Friday Nov. 21. Just click on to www.makeminepink.com/pink-friday . You can view all of the participating boutiques here. Have fun! Until next time,,,,,, gail

Show and Tell Monday

What a busy week. Time is just flying. I have had a pretty productive weekend. Lots of computer work. I need to start holiday shopping very soon and I plan on doing as much as possible online or small business owned brick and mortar. Its the end of an era, and I never thought I would say this, EVER! "I hate going to the mall." Its funny how things have changed because going to the mall was my very favorite thing to do. LOL But I am not even sad about it. One of my favorite places to shop online is http://www.makeminepink.com/ . If you havent been by there, check it out. Its an original idea, very talented women, and there is always some fun promotion going on. Also for the month of November and December, check out http://www.vintageindiemarket.com/ .

This weekend this is a couple projects I have done. The first is an idea I came up with for an online catalog that Make Mine PInk will be starting Thanksgiving day. This is my contribution, it can be used as an ornament, treat bag or gift card holder. It has room for gift cards and a small gift or candy. I did some more rose jewelry and a couple necklace earring sets. I cant wait to visit all of you and see whats new. I have been amazed to see what everyone is coming up with. The creativity is really coming out this time of year. Until next time....... gail

Show and Tell Monday

Hi, I hope everyone is having a great fall week. Its been gorgeous out west. This week I will be starting something new. I will have a few items in a local antique mall called Merchants Square. I am pretty excited about this, because I have not had anything in an actual retail store yet. So this is new and I am looking forward to learning all kinds of new stuff!

This weekend I did get a couple items finished. I had a request from a customer to have more rose bracelets, as they were all sold out. So I got one finished and will be adding a couple to my website this week. I also met a wonderful artist named Marie Segal. She is a oven bake clay artist. She lives in Southern California and has taught many classes world wide. So I am experimenting with some new ideas that Marie is designing for me. This is my first attempt. I have to go out and get a few findings to make more, but I can tell I will love working with these flowers. Be sure to visit Marie at http://www.mariesegal.com/.

So until next time, I really hope you all have a happy and healthy week! gail

Show and tell monday

The post below was actually my show and tell. It is about the Marie Antoinette Soiree that Joy at Cupid Charm held for the Queens birthday. So check it out, there was some amazing blog postings yesterday.

But I had to make a late addition. I went with my friend Kay to an antique mall today and found some really fun stuff. I guess I should have, we were there almost 5 hours! I was pooped, but I had a blast. I got this adorable vintage pink purse, it just screams "gail". I found some pink and white toile fabric. There is also a pretty piece of vintage fabric with blue and lavender morning glories all over it, but Googars is sitting on it :). Then I bought 2 big huge bags and 2 mason jars of "junk jewelry", and there are some treasures in this find. I havent even had time to sort through it all yet. I also got this wire dress from. I am searching high and low for these to paint and make fancy dress to be put on my website. And I found an adorable green hat with the net and velvet flowers and little red strawberries. Then I found this cute bottle. It says Gruelaine, from france, so how fancy,,, but it has bees in the glass, so I am going to fancy it up with some bee charms I have and some pretty ribbons. I will be by to visit all of you today. I cant wait to see what your all up to. Happy creating,,,, gail

Happy Birthday Marie Antoinette

Hi,,,Joy at http://www.cupidscharm.blogspot.com/ is hosting a Marie Antoinette Soiree celebrating the Queen of Frances birthday. She was know as the queen of excess and one of the most popular Queens that has ever reigned. I chose to celebrate her birthday with crown jewels :) Make sure to click onto the link for Cupids Charm and see all of the others celebrating Marie Antoinette. There will be people from all over the world participating and I cant wait to see how everyone else is celebrating. Enjoy the Soiree!

Vintage Indie Market

This is the time of the year when so many of use are participating in holiday events. I am so excited to be paticipating in the Vintage Indie Market. This runs for the months of November and December and just started today. You need to take a look at this website, there is some wonderful art for sale. Accessories, Art, Vintage and so much more. Perfect for all of the holiday gift giving and at great prices. (No long lines at the stores too:)

http://www.vintageindiemarket.com/

Its Shop Hop Time*** Dont miss this one!

This is the one we have been waiting for and having so much fun getting ready for. The event is the "Twelve Days of Christmas" shop hop at Make Mine Pink. Not only is this shopping at its easiest and best, but there is also daily prizes. And there are some great prizes for this event. If you have never participated before its really easy. You can go to the link below to see all of the participating boutiques. On all of these websites will be a Christmas tree that will say "you found it". Click onto this image and it will take you back to the Make Mine Pink site and register this find. You will be put into a drawing for a prize based on the number of trees you find. In addition there will also be daily prizes. Winning a daily prize does not affect you being in the tree drawings. Good luck and have fun shopping. There will be alot of specials and promotions going on in each of the individual shops for this event! www.makeminepink.com/shop-hop