Beauty in the mountains...

A new young seedling taking root and growing strong.

Ahhh...August as I have said is my favorite month. This year has been a very eventful August and I have been nonstop the entire time. I have been visiting friends and family. I have checked an item off my bucket list. I am so blessed to be able to experience all that I do. So for a few more days I shall have access to no computers, no blogs, no emails and that is fine by me.

The only things I miss are being creative and making things however September and October will be available to catch up on these activities.

So for now thank you for reading my thoughts I share, for following my blog and for being my virtual friends.

Happy creating...

Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance...

This past Sunday Mr. C and I were able to attend the annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. I truly felt like Cinderella being able to attend the ball. I have never gotten to participate in this spectator event until now and I am so thankful I was able to not only see it but to be a part of it. Of the almost 300 photos I personally took I am sharing five of them so as not to bore anyone. Our weather was perfect as it was slightly overcast with the famous marine layer which allowed the day to stay rather cool and pleasant. Monterey coastline and the famous 17 mile drive just to get to Pebble Beach. Ahhh...

Not only are the cars beyond spectacular, some of the period attire was also amazing. This adorable lady looked so perfect with her beautiful vintage automobile. Out of at least 1000 entrants only 175 are selected to be shown and judged. I can only imagine the honor it must be to have a vehicle fine enough to be selected to be a part of this 60 year tradition at Pebble Beach.

The setting is as amazing as the cars. You really are on the 18th green by the Lodge and the ocean is right there lapping along the grass. It is breath-taking to say the least.

Lots and lots of spectators, some of whom were dressed as fine as the automobiles themselves. Yes, the hats were a show all of their own. I tried not to focus on the people as much as I wanted to see the multi-million dollar automobiles that the owners have worked so hard to preserve.

When I took this photo of this simply stunning all white show-stopper I had no idea that it would be the grand winner overall of the entire day. It was perfection!

If I had a bucket list I can truly say this is one event I can now check off. Cinderella is the happiest girl and now back in the story books.

I Felt Love...

I recently received this wonderful package in the mail. Surprises are the best don't you think?!
Pat Winter is a truly kind and generous artistic soul. I met Pat through blogging and the Comfort Doll project she began and ran for many years.

Since I cannot seem to figure out how to link a site with my text I shall give you Pat's blog address http://gatherings100.blogspot.com/ so you can visit and discover her many talents unless you already follow this amazing woman.

So back to my surprise package. I love opening mail and find cleverness inside. Wrapped in pattern tissue and stamped and stitched is the most beautiful handmade brooch. Pat felted it and embellished it with her signature fabric ciggy and beads and ribbon embroidery. This brooch is truly a tiny work of art and I shall cherish owning it.

Thank you so very much dear Pat.

Isn't this beautiful with it's greens and purples, lace, ribbons, beads and the special heart attached? I am thrilled with this piece of felted love.

Happy creating...

Gift box simplicitiy...

I love these "take-out" boxes for their simplicity. For the ease of gift giving. For their ability to perform multiple duties.
Here is one that I wrapped a gift inside and then wanted to keep the box very plain and let the design show. So I embellished the wire handle with a very simple small doily and a fun flower button and some twine. This way the box can be opened without disturbing the adornment.
Quick, simple and sweet.
Happy creating...

August Birthdays...

August is a very busy month around here. We have 10 birthdays to celebrate. Not everyone lives so close however we still celebrate all that we can. My daughter's birthday was on the 7th and because she lives in Southern California she got a phone call and a mailed birthday gift. Then we have my friend and creative coach Margaret on the 8th. Now Margaret lives very close and we can truly celebrate with a party. I made her a card with fabric and paper and chipboard letters.

I used the same fabrics to make yo-yo's for decorating this framed bulletin board as her gift. Once again with the chipboard letters to spell out abundance as that is Margaret's inspiration word. Since Margaret is a wordsmith (http://www.goldrushwordsmith.com/) this might come in handy for slipping notes into.

Of course we played games. A very silly game involving plungers and toilet paper rolls. We all laughed so hard I think we gained years instead of aging. You really should try this as it is much more difficult than it seems. We considered it exercise and therefore got to eat a lot more yummy birthday food.

I didn't get a photo of the tables but we had a wonderful indoor picnic with lots of great food. Cold cuts, cheeses, assorted sandwich makings, chips, cole slaw, green bean potato salad and lots of beverages. We even had super fun ants on the table. For the birthday dessert we had home made lemon meringue pies and yum yum!

Birthdays are so much fun when you just let them be such.

Happy Birthday Margaret and all my August family and friends!!!

Now I think you secretly want to try this plunger game. Do you? Have you?

Happy creating...

Bead Trends August...

This is August and the current issue of Bead Trends magazine. Once again I am so fortunate to have one of my necklace creations featured in this amazing publication.

River Flow is the name given to the lampwork bead my husband actually purchased for me one day.

The blues and greens are my favorite colors and certainly remind me of water and nature.

I combined my favorite Italian mesh ribbon in two shades of navy and olive along with some beautiful mohair yarn to create the carrier for this bead.

It is thrilling and exhilarating to have something I have spent my time making be featured in print. I am very humbled and grateful.

Now I am off to my studio to continue to create beautiful jewelry.

I am undecided about listing this piece in my etsy shop. I think I am attached to it. :o)

Happy creating...

Two Favorites...

I have already posted that August is my very favorite month of the year so that is one of my two. This is a fun calendar I bought for this year 2010 while bargain shopping one day at World Market. It is a Barbie Fashion Model Collection calendar. I just had to have it. I tend to save my calendars from each year and use them for all sorts of things artistic. Hmmm...a future post I predict.

My second favorite is a bonus on the same calendar month of August. Blue! It is my favorite color and this dress is divine. So romantic and feminine. It reminds me of a time when women really got dressed and enjoyed it. Not like now when anything goes and casual is the norm.

What is a favorite color of yours? Do you have a favorite month? What might you do with past date calendars? Inquiring minds want to know.

I am enjoying my August so far by reading a good book and tending to Mr. C who is recuperating nicely from his arthroscopic knee surgery. Neither of us were prepared for how long he will be healing and unable to do all the physical things he likes to do however it won't slow us down much since we have an extremely busy August.

Happy creating...

August-My Favorite Month...

August is my very favorite month of the year. I think it is for several reasons:

I was born in August
My beautiful daughter was born in August
The sun shines in August and keeps us warm and happy
Life is both relaxed and very busy with fun activities

This photo is overlooking the valley below Cortona Italy. Last year when Mr. C and I drove through Tuscany on our trip we stopped here. Yes, this is where the movie "Under the Tuscan Sun" was filmed and we thought it might be too touristy. Not at all. It was charming and beautiful and magical all at once. We only spent the day but wished we had more time to explore and enjoy Cortona.

May you have the best August you have ever experienced. That is what I am planning.
What are you hoping to do this month of August?