Freckled Star

Getting ready.....

I really only needed a bigger suitcase because I am taking 5 pairs of shoes:)

 

And this was the one I wanted. So Char and I trekked over to the Americana at Brand in Glendale. They have the most fabulous Vera Bradley store!

But what started out as just a suitcase ended up as this....

 

Let's face it my pink straw bag was probably not going to travel too well on the plane.....

Of course this was awfully cute too and guess what??? That laptop bag fit in it.....

Oh and then if you spent $50 (ummm...I might have gone a wee bit over that) you could get the large cosmetic case for $10. So.........

might as well add that to the bag. Let's just say I spent so much even Char got a free gift:)

I am getting a little more excited about the traveling part now:)

 

Takin' it outside........

Well the HOT weather we have been having has finally broke and I feel the need to get out!!

So I set up shop outside:) And yes I have been carrying all my stuff around in that pink straw bag! That got a shake of the head from the Man and a "I am who I am" from me;)

Flowers from my garden, pencils, highlighter (how long has it been since I used one of those???) and a little snack.

Oh yeah I can "look" like a professional:) The iPhone I barely know how to use and the Daytimer is good. I can see myself using that. Is that a Martha Stewart Living mag in that pile??? Uhhh.......no.

We went to P.F. Changs a couple of days ago after a baseball game. The fortune cookies after dinner are always a big deal. That was my fortune. I think I have said before I am one of those people who get little signs (good and Bad) when I need it. So that I had to keep. Here's to hoping.....:)

With that said it's pretty much crunch time. I am about done with the online class and halfway thru my workbook. I have decided Friday I will take the final exam and be done with it all. By then I will be pretty much as ready as I am going to get. I am anxious to get into the classroom and find out just what this is all about. I hate going into something blind. Is it going to be easy, is it going to be hard, am I going to be able to figure out this laptop, will I meet people to study with, will I need to study, will I be in class until 10 p.m., am I going to fall asleep in class, is this going to be so boring I want to jump off a bridge, can I keep up???? So many questions!

But I really am most anxious about the plane ride:( Just my luck when I am about to start traveling ALONE all these crackpots decide they want to plot some terrorists attacks!! That Zazi man actually worked at the Colorado airport where my layover is. Fantastic! (I won't state the obvious here for fear of political incorrectness) Then yesterday some Egyptian man wouldn't sit down when a plane was about to take off and ran to the bathroom in the back. (the obvious would be to know just a smidgen of English, the obvious being "I need to use the bathroom immediately" is pretty much universal and the first thing I learned in my Spanish class "Necesito ir al bano". That's the first thing I'd learn if I was going to Egypt!) Ughh I would have freaked out and probably stabbed him with my well sharpened pencil. Which reminds me are we even allowed to take sharpened pencils on a plane??? Because I think I could take someone out with one:)

Anyway I really don't want to be the next 9/11 to get this country unified and our politician's heads out of there !@#$'s again. Sorry.

Even if I do look cute doing it;)

My sad attempt at humor. I am really not excited about flying and if it wasn't so far I would seriously drive!

Ughh more shopping......

Well ladies it's been a long week.

As well as trying to decipher about 1000 different accounts receivable on an incomprehensible, to me anyway, financial statement I also had to get some new shoes. It seems my new counterparts may not actually let me wear my flip flops to class:( Or my cute little espadrilles. And I think my Uggs may definitely be a no...........

I should say I have not worn a pair of "pumps" since high school graduation. Or panty hose for that matter. Ok I wore those at my wedding but had taken them off by act 2 and remember I got married a month after I graduated......:)

So needless to say the whole binding thing I see alot a women doing this year,skinny jeans, Spanks, tall Frye boots etc., I am just NOT feeling.......

I guess I am a let it all hang out type of gal....

And so are my toes....

So when the sweet Christine at Nordstrom brought me out a gigantic display of shoe boxes she could barely balance and the first thing she pulled out were these....

My toes recoiled in my cute little espadrilles........

So I told her NO points which eliminated those...........

And these...

Also these plus they were $375 was she on crack or something?????

So that pretty much eliminated all the Stuart Weitzman boxes......

I ended up with these.....

They were NOT cheap but they feel like walking in running shoes because they have this Nike Air technology. Plus my little toes can do a peek a boo so they didn't refuse to get into these like they did when I tried on these........

I tried on these too.....

Not happening:)

The easy part........

My flats....

One pair of brown and one pair of black......

Both are by Me Too at Nordstrom. Now these are comfy and cute. I am thinking about having ALL my pants hemmed so I don't have to wear heels!!

Oh the price we pay to be fashionable:)

Today one more pair of "pumps" maybe a boot with a heel. I still need brown!

Macy's here I come I forgot I had a $25 Rewards Certificate:)

Have a lovely weekend. I will be putting my laptop down and wearing my "pumps" all over town so I don't walk into my first class barefoot in 9 days;) Do you know how long it has been since I have had a blister on my heel??? Uhhhh the 90's and I still remember it!!

The Wristlet.....

First a little afternoon tea and snacks to give us all a jump start.....

Kristen made cupcakes again HURRAY!!!

And then it was wake up, finish up, eat up (dinner), pay up (shopping:) and then time to sew.......

Yes I made that!! It's not the sample so ha! Me, Andrea, who does not sew and until that evening did not know the difference between thread and floss;) I even learned how to do a blanket stitch.....or is it a basket stitch?? Hmmm......no matter because I did it!!!! Could I do it right now.......well maybe.......

Damn I am good;) See the words? Hand stamped:)

 As I am uploading these I am realizing I didn't take a picture of the back which is as equally impressive;) It's just a piece of muslin with the words stamped on it. But I so fell in love with stamping fabric. Worth the price of admission:) I also did not get a picture of the box this came in! Darn IT! Each kit was in a cigar box wrapped with a ribbon and a tag. So cute!! Ruth Rae was just such an inspiration. Her jewelry and linen pieces (especially the scarves, I wanted one so bad!!) are just phenomenal.

That's all ladies.....

I do have to say a few more things.....

First I have never laughed so much at one of these events. I mean sure I have met plenty of REALLY nice ladies but not one's that have made my sides hurt with laughter:) Earleen, Annette and Nicole let me know if you ever do one of these events again I would love to sit with you:)

Kim amazing job can't wait for the next one!

And lastly there in no right or wrong in art. Just go for it. Make yourself happy because we all know "you can't make everyone happy" even if the air does work.........

Artistic Bliss.....

An understatement.........

Kim once again out did herself......

The tables are always beautiful........

All kinds of special goodies for us. Gift bags with crafty swag, our gorgeous name tags and a little something special from Kim. This time an Autumn inspired journal. Just lovely:)

The centerpieces and hanging art I always love!

That's me in with the holey jeans at Table #7!! Showing off our hmmm....

What do I call these?? Fairies. dragonflies, butterflies, acrobats.......

They all kind of morphed into something other than intended. Scratch that I should say MINE morphed into something other than intended......

This was one of my sad attempts at clay and paint. Which is why I don't use clay or paint:)

I think this is supposed to be a dragonfly. With no specific gender and in desperate need of a brow wax. Who may or may not be headed for a snow storm.....hence the scarf. Who also may or may not have either the measles or the chicken pox????

With that said I absolutely loved Lisa! She just has the greatest personality. So much fun and she taught me how to make tiny crowns!! That was worth the price of admission;) If I am ever in Jersey..........

Where the Coke was and Kim taking care of someone's needs.........

Next project........

Taught by Julie Haymaker. The presentation of our kits are always like art themselves! This was no exception and she provided everything for us. I mean EVERYTHING!

I learned to wet your papers then apply the Modge Podge before adhering. This makes it so much EASIER!! Great tip:) Again worth the price of admission!

Look at all the details she put into our kits. All we had to do was sew buttons in the middle of our flowers........

She made the little snail and dragonfly for us. I guess my fear of clay and paint had preceded me:)

Come back tomorrow for afternoon tea and Ruth Rae's class........

Market Soiree......

So this was the Friday night festivities for L' Automne.

I did not take my 300 pound camera because I knew I would be holding mass amounts of shopping bags;)

But here are some of my goodies.......

I bought a Halloween Banner kit and some little Christmas plastic pics from Candice Carpenter and she already has pictures up!! Also some "bits and bobs" tubes from Amy Powers.

My splurge of the night came from Kristen Robinson......

Isn't it gorgeous!! I am so glad I went back one more time to look at her table:) I am wearing it now and I just love it.

There were so many beautiful jewels there! I wanted so much to buy something of Ruth Rae's but I just couldn't. Maybe next time...........

We also a did a Make and Take. Here is a better picture of it........

Loved doing that little cake!

That's it for now I have to go to work......

Stop laughing.......:)

Tomorrow my psychotic looking fairy and other projects;)

The Grateful Pumpkin Charlie Brown........

The date for Autumn Workshop is going to be Saturday November 7th. Starting at 11 a.m. Lunch will be served. Workshop fee will be $25. You will need to bring photos copied on regular printer paper. Photo paper will not work. Black and white or color it's up to you. Also either hand written or typed words of thankfulness. I think those written by little hands are the best:) Again on regular paper.

At workshop you will get your pumpkin, lots of vintage and scrapbook paper to chose from, modge podge, paint with brush and lots of embellishments to make your "grateful pumpkin" your own:) And my super easy, super simple instructions;)

I will need R.S.V.P's by Monday the 2nd of November.

Here's a peak.......

 

That's the fun part:)

 

Cover completely and get messy:) The messier the better. Using fingers really helps get the paper in to the grooves of the pumpkin.

We are going to let them air dry while we eat. So if no one gets too crazy with the glue.........this should be plenty of time;)

Then add a little paint and/or sparkles around photos and words for contrast.......

 

Embellish!!!

 

Then find it a home.......

 

Inspiration came from Ann Tatum and her submission in Somerset Holidays and Celebrations.

Hope to see you really soon!

Well I am off to Artistic Affaire's Market Soiree tonight and Char is coming with me!!! Hurray:)

And tomorrow L' Automne...........

Can't wait!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Teaser;)

New Workshop Project for Autumn.......

More details to come.....

Hello Autumn.......

It would help if it cooled down a bit.......

 

 

 

 

Want to see more?

Look at the album "Hello Autumn" to the left.

I hope it's starting to look and feel like Autumn where you are:)

Bye Bye Summer.....

Even though it's 100 degrees outside......

This is the aftermath.......

 

Not too bad. Three new storage totes later:) And what you don't see is the big 20x20 box that I had to shove all the garlands and big pieces in. You also didn't see under my bed as I had to find room for 3 MORE boxes. Yikes!! Or me almost falling backwards trying to stack yet one more box in my downstairs closet........

 

I don't think I have nearly enough stuff;)

Tomorrow the tablescape.......