Last But Not Least

Wow, what a gorgeous weekend!  I cant believe its already Sunday night. It was a busy weekend, but lots of fun.  Its hard to stay indoors and take it easy. So I may have over did it this weekend. I finally got some flowers planted on my front porch area. Now I love walking up to my door.  No garden, no matter how small is complete without a gnome. This little guy has been following me around for years!  I also got around to a little sewing. I am making bunnies and got this one completed.  There are more in various stages of completion.  It was overcast today and it was a little hard to get some good photos.

And last but not least, I am so happy to finally say my studio is done! Well, about as done as can be. I imagine it will always be evolving to some extent. I found this pink table cloth and chair cover at Bed Bath and Beyond. I even had a $5.00 coupon, so it was much easier and cheaper than sewing one. I got the glass display cabinet at a garage sale. I got the dress form and ballerina dress form for Christmas from my girls. Most everything I keep on this table is for display and I really like having different options. There is lots of storage under this 6ft. table.  I finally found some pink taper candles at Pier One, on clearance too, for the "chandelier". Some day I hope to have a big, beautiful real chandelier, but for now this makes me happy. Its officially my studio now that I have a sign to hang. I made this on my last trip to the ceramic painting shop with my Grand daughter:)  I have done my spring cleaning ~ planted my little garden ~ have completed my studio: I am ready to get to some serious creating now!  Now if I just could figure out this 9-6 job thing that is cramping my style. :) I am working on a plan about that, but for now I will get up and start my Monday, thankful I have a job to go to. I hope you all have a pretty week! Happy Creating.    

Spring Holiday Shop at Make Mine Pink

Starting tomorrow its time for our Spring Holiday Shopping event at Make Mine Pink. It will be running between March 13th through the 19th.  I have seen a few sneak peeks at whats going to be offered and there is some adorable decorations, accessories and vintage items to welcome Spring to your home. Its going to be fun and be sure to stop by during the week as many of the shop owners will be adding new items and specials throughout the week. 

I was out doing a little window shopping today, the weather was perfect and I feel a bad case of Spring Fever coming on :) Make Mine Pink Spring Holiday Shop

The Colors Of Spring

This is the time of year I love living in Arizona. The spring begins early for us. Its time to plant flowers and the sun is warm, but with a crisp feel to the air. I wish it would stay in the mid 70s everyday. I would never get tired of that.  If I didnt have my family and friends here I think I would be tempted to move to Maui :) I have a fairly large patio that I cant wait to plant a container garden in.  I cant decide if I want to have a mixture of colors with geraniums, pansies, snap dragons and many more, OR if I want to stick with a color scheme. My patio furniture is white and pink. I guess I will have to get out there and see what inspires me.

I have been working on some new creations getting ready for spring. Tomorrow its Make Mine Pink Friday. If your new to my blog, this is an event that  the shops at Make Mine Pink have every friday. Its a themed day of shopping. The month of march is "The Colors Of Spring".  Be sure to check out this link tomorrow to see what the different shops will be offering.  I am sure there will be lots of pillows, jewelry, garden art, vintage items, all with spring decorating in mind.  Each friday there will be new items listed. Ahhhh, Spring Fever has set in, but I must get going and get to work. I hope you are have a beautiful spring day too! Make Mine Pink Friday    

I love the Weekends

Its been a nice rainy spring weekend. Actually pretty cold and windy, but we see that so rarely in sunny Arizona that I love it!  I spent this weekend visiting friends and family and doing a little shopping. I really needed it. I am going through training at work and its been very stressful for me. The small dept. I worked in was sent back to the corporate offices back in MN. So our small group is training for a new dept. It will be ongoing for almost 4 months. I had just gone through training for that position last summer and was finally getting comfortable in my job. I have to admit at 52 I like change less and less. However the world is more and more fast paced and you need to be open to change. This causes stress to me. Then I stress about not getting the time I need to be creating and getting things listed on my website, etsy site and my space at Tillies Attic. When this training is over I go right into having major surgery and a 4-6 week recovery. I figured out  I better get my priorities in order. Of course I need and am very thankful for my job. My health has to be top priority for me too. I am just not going to be worried about all of the extras. Spending time enjoying life on my days off is my new way of de-stressing!  Not sure how much I will be creating in the near future, but I will enjoy it when I do.
I made a trip over to Tillies Attic and just had to share some new photos of the shop. It looks prettier every time I go in.  There is a new "tea room" decor area and its full of sweet items. If ya live in the Phoenix area, stop by sometime and visit Tillies. Its in Mesa on the Southeast corner of Dobson and Guadalupe and they are opened 9:30 to 5:00 Tuesday through Satuday. :)

I hope you all have a pretty week.     

I Love Hearts

There is something about the shape of a heart. Its curving and femine. Its always been a favorite of mine. Even back in school I used to dot my "I"s with a heart.  My teachers werent thrilled and I had to learn I couldnt do that in school, but to this day I will on occasion dot my "I"s with a heart.  I collect Teddy Bears and Hearts and since its Valentines Day I thought I would share a few I have around my studio.

There is even an artist none for her Heart art. Her name is Debbie Marie. A very good friend of mine is lucky enough to have two of her pieces and the colors are amazing. This is a photo from her website and if you get a chance you may want to take a look.  Art can leave an emotional feeling over the observer and I feel Debbies art is happy and optimistic. http://www.debbiemariegallery.com/

I hope everyone has a sweet Valentines Day. I have stuffed animals, balloons and heart shaped boxes of candy to deliver to my Grandkids. They are my Vanlentines this year:)

Its Like Spring Outside

Its been such a great weekend. In Arizona this is the time of year we get to enjoy. Its been in the 70's and it has been perfect. Driving in my car I heard several vintage Elton John songs. Love, love, love Bennie and the Jets. :) I think I need to find a copy of Captain Fantastic somewhere. Great memories of the 70's. I also have been catching up with good friends this weekend. Dont you just love a great meal, hanging out with other creative people? I leave so inspired.

My new studio is working out great and just as I had hoped. Having one large room in the heart of my apartment is so convenient. I am definately getting more done. I wanted to share a couple new projects. I have been making these fabric flowers. They are so easy and alot of fun. I like as many components in my work to be completely handmade as possible. These flowers can be used in so many ways. I am working on a bride doll and I want to make lots of small white ones to embellish her gown. This doll is a work in progress and working out the kinks in the pattern, but its what I love doing the most. I have made a couple more cupcake pillows and since spring has been in the air this week I am starting my Easter pillows. This is my first chocolate Easter Bunny. You never know what I will feel like creating. One morning before work I came up with this pin cushion. I have more things in various stages of done and I will share them later.

I just got home from Trader Joes and found these frozen macaroni and cheese bites. Three different sales clerks told me these were awesome. So thats what I am having for lunch:) I guess I will go and give them a try. Have a great week.

Whats New At Tillies?

I like to post an update from time to time with what is new at Tillies. This is an adorable shop in Mesa. If you are local, you may know about Tillies. Elaine is the shop owner and she has been working really hard on bringing new vendors and gorgeous new things. They have been giving the store a fresh new make over for the new year. In addition to handmade items, you will now find several vintage and antiques vendors. There is one room devoted to Longaberger Baskets for all of you collectors out there. I took a few photos to share with you all. There is so much more! If you live in the Phoenix area and would like to visit, mention you saw this blog post to receive 10 percent off:) Tillies is located in Mesa on the SE corner of Dobson and Guadalupe. The hours are 9:30 to 5:00 Tuesday through Saturday.

Pillow Talk

The holidays were great but I am so glad to get back to creating. Its been peaceful and quiet. It seems like its been a very long time since I have been able to enjoy a normal weekend. I had months of redoing my apartment spaces and then the fast pace of the holidays.

Today I made these two pillows. The rooster pillow was some scraps from some home dec fabric. I rouched some satin ribbon to create a trim to dress it up a little. The next is pink roses. I am working a new pattern for a teddy bear with a rag doll type body. I cant wait to get her done. I am really excited to get this year started with alot of new ideas. I hope you all are having a creative start to the new year.

Its A Brand New Year ~ What Will You Be Doing?

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. For the first time is many years we had family in town and we had so much fun. Christmas really is about family and friends. I know we will have alot of fun memories.

2010 was a year of transition for me. I had been unemployed for 9 months and started my job this year. It was an adjustment going through a long training and learning a new job with many different resposibilities. I am so thankful to have my job and work for such a great company. I also created a new studio and work area that is now completed and I am ready to start creating again.

I usually am not one for alot of New Years Resolutions because the fast become New Years Disalutions. lol But this year I will be making alot of changes, all good, but still scarey. Even good changes can be stressful. First, starting in February my job will be changing and I will be moving to another department along with my 18 co-workers. After going through training for a month last May I am not really looking forward to another month of training, but I must and do so with an optimistic attitude. When training is over I am planning to have hip surgery. My condition has been inoperable but technology has caught up and it looks very good for me. Its not a normal hip replacement, there will be some re-construction involved and the Dr hopes to lengthen my leg as well. I am not going to lie,,,this scares the hell out of me, BUT its time and I am going into this ready. I am looking forward to my physical therapy and plan to take advantage of every minute of it. I want to get into a workout routine that I will do from here on out.

As far as my business goes, I am making some changes. I have so little free time and want to use it doing what I love. That is creating. I have been focusing on how to be a successful business and not being the artist. I have been wanting to get back into doing my mohair teddy bears and art dolls. I will be doing some home dec things I have been wanting to create for awhile now. I am not sure how much time I will devote to social media, news letters and marketing. I just want to create, focus on my blog, website and Little Pink Boutique at Make Mine Pink.

So, its a big goal list for 2011. I have been getting ready for these changes and I am ready to start this new year. What do you have planned for a fresh new year? I hope its something new, fresh and something you have always dreamed of.

I wanted to share the work of my friend Del Gonzales. He is an amazing artist. His talent has no limits. I commissioned this portrait of my Son in Laws dog named Kid. Kid is 14 and very special to our family. His health is not what it used to be and I knew this would be the perfect Christmas gift. He loved it so much. Del captured every bit of Kid:) Let me know if you would ever like to contact Del for a portrait. As for me, I have not been able to get much done over the last couple months but I did get this bracelet and earrings made for my Sister in Laws birthday. Have a great week, its a new beginning, make it great:)