Getting Lots Done

Its so hot outside in Arizona this time of year. So it doesnt take much incentive to find things that can be done indoors. My cable box broke and their service hours were pretty much the same as my works hours so I didnt have TV all week either. So whats a girl to do??? Its almost been pleasant without a tv. I have got quite abit done. I am posting pictures here of a few new things. The fall will be here before we know it and I plan on doing a few of the fall shows with the local Briarpatch Market Place. I am trying to get alot of jewelry done over the next couple weeks so that I can put it aways and start sewing. I will be doing lots of home dec pillows and other new things.

I hope you are finding lots of creative things to do this summer and staying nice and cool!

Christmas in July

Its Christmas in July at Tillies Attic. The front room is all festive and ready for holiday shopping. I saw so many cute and original decorations. If you havent been by Tillies in awhile you should stop in. There are new vendors and lots of new merchandise. Vera and Jeannie are on their way to market and I am sure there will be lots of awesome, fresh and brand new things coming in for the holidays. Tillies Attic is open from 9:30 to 5:30 Tuesday through Saturday each week, and they are located on the SE corner of Guadalupe and Dobson in Mesa, AZ. Hope to see you there :)

This is also the week of the Christmas in July Shop Hop that Make Mine Pink has each year. This is always a FUN event and you can really win some awesome prizes. Its almost like a scavenger hunt. You register at www.makeminepink.com/shop-hop and then visit all of the participating boutiques on the list. While at each site find the hidden pink shopping bag that says "You Found It" and click on that bag. It registers your find and the more bags you find in the shops the more chances you have of winning a prize. Its so much fun. Lots of fun shopping to be had as well.

Simply Pink

I love, love, love pink. I always have and I always will. I am the girlie girls of all time. :) This coming friday is Make Mine Pink Friday. Each friday there is a different themed shopping day. This fridays theme is Simply Pink, so I have been getting alot of new things done for this event. Its really inspired me, so I am posting this extra early. Its actually given me a new idea for my website too. Over the next couple weeks I am going to be changing the catagories around.

The first new necklace I am calling Maries Peony. I was at my friend Maries house in NYC a couple months ago and there was this amazing peony blooming in her back yard. It was huge and the most beautiful shade of pink I have ever seen. The pendant is a large peony and the necklace is strung with pearls and pink quartz beads. I came up with a pair of dragon fly earrings and these sweet lampwork teapot earrings. I love these new pink earwires I found. The last two things arent pink, but sometimes my hands just start making something before my brain catches up. I am calling this dragonfly necklace the Vinyards. There are small glass grapes and leaf charms and it is strung with very sparkly purples and deep greens. Last but not least are 3 rings that are made with gorgeous polymer clay roses that a friend of mine makes. Her name is Marie also. (Maybe the title of this post should have been "My friends named Marie" :) Marie is an amazing artist and a wonderful person. When you get a chance, visit her blog and see her work. http://www.mariesegal.blogspot.com/

So, I have been busy, but I actually have more done that I just did not get photographed yet. Lots more coming. I finally feel inspired. Have a great week. I will be back in a couple days. I have a post for Christmas in July. Its 166 days until Christmas, if you want to know. (I have to say,,,I DONT)lol

My New Suitcase

I love this suitcase! I bought it at Tillies Attic. I have had my eye on it for quite awhile and was so happy it was still there after getting my first paycheck from my new job. :) Its in great condition and the inside is divided and has a mirror. We think its from the late 40's or early 50's. The great thing is I have the matching piece thats a little larger waiting for me now. I think they will make great display pieces. I know alot of people into altered art are doing some very pretty things with these old suitcases, but these are in such good shape I could not bare to do anything to them, but admire them. This is just a sample of the awesome things that are coming into Tillies Attic now. If you havent been in awhile I think you will be pleasantly suprised. In case you didnt know, for those of you in the Phoenix area, Tillies is in Mesa on the Southeast corner of Dobson and Guadalupe. The shop is open Tuesday through Saturday 9:30 to 5:00. The tag I added for cuteness is from my friend Carrie of http://www.noellegarrett.com/ .

I have been working on some new jewelry. This is what I managed to get photographed tonight, There will be more to come soon. I am finally on a role here. I need to get these on my site in the next day or so. I am trying to work on fresh new ideas for the summer. I feel inspriration coming from mermaids :)

This is a pillow my sister Stephanie crocheted for me. It is soooo soft and it feels like chenille. I love some of the yard they have out now. I so wish I could crochet or knit, but its just not my talent.

Well, I better get busy. I am making the most of the three day holiday weekend. I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th!

Its A Mad Tea Party

The day has finally came!! Its time for a very important date! It is the Mad Tea Party hosted by Vanessa at a Fanciful Twist. Dont be late!

Everyone will be there. They are all gathering at the Rabbit Hole. Pinky has all of her friends looking for it... It must be here somewhere.



Heres the White Rabbit now, waiting to show us the way.



The guests are all arriving and the sweets are divne! Wont you join us for a cupcake or two?





The Cheshire Cat stopped by for a spot of tea and to visit. He brought a special gift for Alice. Jewels fit for the Princess of Wonderland.








Thanks for coming to the Tea Party, I hope you had fun. Be sure to visit all of the other Mad Tea Parties by going to http://www.afancifultwist.typepad.com for lots more fun and inspiration.

(Pastel cat photo is the work of the fabulous photographer Tim Walker)

Me and My Teddy

Once upon a time,,, a very long time ago, in the decade of the 80's, I was a Teddy Bear Artist. I designed my own patterns. The real reason for that is, I for the life of me, cannot understand commercial patterns. The directions might as well be written in German. Anyway, I figured out how to draft my own patterns and read all about the Art of Teddy Bear Making. Back in the late 80's and early 90's there were so many talented artist out there making some amazing bears. There still is, but I think its a smaller group. I fell in love with mohair. This is the most amazing fur fabric to work with. I was told that once you started working with mohair you would never want to use fake fur again. That was so true. Its a dream to work with, but very expensive. Back then it was an average of $100.00 per yard and sometimes even more. I remeber the very first time I took a pair of scissors to mohair. It took me 20 minutes to do it! lol But as things often do, my life changed. I had to follow another direction and my Teddy Bears did not get made anymore. At this time I have a huge desire to start making them again. I feel like for the first time in many years I can. Now that I am working I can splurge and purchase some mohair. I am also working on some satin roses and vintage trims and mother of pearl buttons. I hope to combine some beadwork in my new designs as well. I have been doing some research on where to get some of the supplies I will be needing. The type of hardware I used to use for making them jointed seems to longer being used. But I am looking forward to making some more of my furry Teddy friends. One thing I remember about working with mohair,,,,cats LOVE it. You have to guard your cut out legs and ears or the may disappear, and you just cant have that at those prices!

I thought I would share of few of the bears I still have from my life as a Teddy Bear Artist. I saw this piece of fabric and immediately saw the ocean, and that thought process lead me to making a mermaid teddy bear. It was pretty cutting edge for the 80's. I made the momma and baby bear from a pretty pink mohair. It was always my favorite color. They were rescued from a fire when my apartment went up in flames. (Thank you stupid neighbor, but thats a different story.) But the color is a little faded now. I made the flower fairy bear with wings and the little bear head in a rose is a pin. The golder curly hair girl and the blue curly bear were made all by hand. (I lost my machine in the same fire.) Thanks for joining me down memory lane. I will keep you posted on my new designs. Have a pretty week and happy creating...

Some New Ideas

I have been wanting to start doing some bridal jewelry designing. I actually have alot of new ideas. Coming up with new ideas and also being different is hard at times. There are some amazing artist out there doing some very pretty work. I always like the girly girl look and try and find some unusual elements to add. So right now I am trying to think outside the box. I have some ideas that I hope will work out as well in the real world as I see them in my mind. :) I have some bracelets, chokers, headbands and even a ring idea working and hope to share with you all soon. I am getting settled back into the 9 to 5 thing and hope to be able to work in the evenings on my projects. But for now here is two bracelets I worked on today. I like the pearl one because I got the freshwater pearls while in Cape Cod. The crocheted lace is vintage and from a lovely antique shop called Horsefeathers on the Cape too. I hope you all have a great week,,,happy creating.

First Blossoms of Summer

I just wanted to leave a quick post to remind everyone that tomorrow is Make Mine Pink Friday. Its our weekly themed shopping event and this week is a favorite of mine. "First Blossoms of Summer." I have seen some of the beautiful items being offered this week and I think you will love them too. Its one day only, tomorrow June 11th. Stop by and see all of the pretty blossoms.... :)

www.makeminepink.com/pink-friday .

Girly Finds for Pink Friday

I always look forward to each friday. Especially now that I have gone back to work:) But the real reason is its time for Make Mine Pink Friday. This week our theme is "Girly Finds". Its the perfect theme for me because I am such the Girlie Girl. I always have been. I will never outgrow the ruffles, bows and of course pink! I actually had some time to make a few new things this week. It felt great to be creating again. Be sure to visit www.makeminepink.com/pink-friday tomorrow and see what all of the other participating boutiques will be offering thats pretty and girlie!

Tillies Attic Update ~ Lots of pretty pictures:)

Its amazing how when you let things take their natural course how well things can work out. After starting my new job, one that I love and so thankful to have. I realized there would be no way I would be able to keep the large room I had at Tillies Attic stocked full. So I moved out into a smaller and more compact area. Its absolutely perfect for me and my new circumstances. Plus there was a new vendor who loved my room, so its now going to be filled with lots of new home dec items and vintage finds. I cant wait to see how it will look when she is all moved in. I hear she is amazing at putting displays together. There are so many new vendors moving in now. Its looking amazing in the store and I just know this is going to be THE place to shop. I went in today to take lots of photos to share with you all. We do have a new vendor who makes the best pickles and she is displayed on an adorable wood cart, but my photos of that did not turn out. I hear that they are the best ever so dont miss out on them when you visit.

(Shell,,,, I took the bunnies for you :) )

If you are in the Phoenix area be sure to visit Tillies Attic in Mesa. They are located on the Southeast corner of Guadalupe and Dobson. (1941 E Guadalupe, Mesa, AZ 85202 )