Feb. 28, 2011

I loved seeing all the fabulous gowns last night at the Academy Awards. I didn't watch the entire show because we were at a dinner celebrating neighbors who volunteer in the community. In 2003, Mr. B and I received the Citizens of the Year award from the Houston Heights Association. Last night four of our friends were recognized as Citizens of the Year. We popped the cork and toasted them and their involvement in the neighborhood.

I was feeling fine when I got home from dinner, but around 4 a.m. I woke up with a terrible stomach ache. I didn't sleep much after that. Fortunately, ABC was rehashing the Academy Awards.

Today I'm creating a dark, cool place where I can stay in the fetal position until I feel better.

Feb. 27, 2011

Kirby is Kendall and Nick's beagle.
My dog Rose thinks he's the cat's meow.
Mr. B thinks Kirby wears eye liner.

We had an overnight guest at the house last night. The "doc" (Kendall) and hubby (Nick) went to Austin, so the "bubba" (Kirby) came for a sleepover. My pooch Rose is in love with Kirby, and when he comes to the house she follows him everywhere. Her little nub of a tail never stops wagging. One problem: He doesn't like her. I'm not sure she slept last night because she was hanging off the bed staring at him sleeping on a blanket on the floor. Sweet puppy love ... literally. In honor of his beastie self, I'm posting a photo of Kirby today.

Today I'm creating a specialty cocktail for Mr. B and me to enjoy tonight while watching the Oscars. I'm sure it will involve champagne, nectar of the stars.

Feb. 26, 2011

It's a gloomy day outside, which perfectly matches my mood. Yesterday, while testing a glue to adhere the bottle caps to the wooden table top (see post from yesterday), some of the glue went through a seam in the wood onto the dining room table. There's about a two-inch circle on the dining room table where the finish is damaged. Not a good thing!

To brighten my mood, I'm posting a photo of the garden in Santa Fe, NM that I took last summer. It's too early to start the countdown to my summer stay at Pettita Casita, but the sunny, dry weather of the high desert is on my mind. Just looking at the photo makes me smile!

Today I'm creating a buffer of cardboard, plastic and newspaper to cover the surface I put the bottle cap table top on so I can avoid another glue mishap. Wish me luck!

Feb. 25, 2011

Yesterday I did lots of online research before creating a project outline and then preparing a draft. Very rewarding because I got everything done and off to the client for review. Since a draft of the project would not be an exciting photo, I'm attaching a photo of the pups Roz and Rose. Appropriate because at times they are my creative muses.

Here's an example of bad writing! I'm somewhat watching All My Children, a soap that I've followed since college. A character's husband was killed in a small plane explosion over the ocean. Of course, his body wasn't found, but at the crash site was a cardboard box of letters that was in perfect condition. Does that sound possible? Oh yeah, it's daytime drama.

Today I'm creating two press releases and an invoice (yeah). Then I'm taking all the bottle caps off the table top I'm working on (see yesterday's post) and individually gluing each one down to the wooden top. It doesn't sound very creative or fun, but it's necessary.

Roz and Rose enjoying some "down time" at the Santa Fe casita.

Feb. 24, 2011

Last night Dr. Mc (Kendall) came to the house to "hang" and we figured out the design for the table top I'm making for an upcoming auction. I didn't get a clear photo with my iPhone, so I'll tell you that the top is covered in beer bottle caps. Quite the creative project, especially for someone who doesn't drink beer. In fact, Dr. Mc and I were drinking champagne while designing.

The amazing Keith Crane made the top for me to decorate and has constructed an awesome metal base that will be attached once the top is finished. I need to remove all the bottle caps from the top and then glue them down in place. Once secure, resin will be poured over the caps, which will fill in the spaces and create a solid surface (I hope.) Then the top will be attached to the metal base.

Today I'm creating outlines for three websites I'm going to write, so I don't think there will be time for beading or sewing. Dr. Mc helped me match fabrics to use on several aprons. I'm donating aprons to two charity auctions in March, so I need to get cranking on them.

Feb. 23, 2011

I received many packages of fabric in the mail yesterday: It was like Christmas in February. I must have had food on the brain when I ordered all the fabrics I plan to use for aprons.

While the technically challenged Mr. B was working on his computer last night, I made a clutch using remnants of gold and silver duponi silk. It's larger than the one I posted last week and it has a handle. And just to be different, I embellished the flap with three vintage brooches.

Today I'm creating two press releases for a client, and then I want to make a tote bag out of cotton fabric from The Alexander Henry Fabrics Collection. The name of the fabric is "home sewing is easy." Can't wait to post a photo of the finished bag.

Gold and silver clutch with vintage brooches
pictured with my Valentine's Day flowers.
Can't believe the roses are still blooming!

Feb. 22, 2011

My usual Tuesday meeting with a client was canceled this morning, so I watched History Channel programs about U.S. Presidents Andrew Jackson and Zachary Taylor. Very interesting. I didn't know much about either of them, although the story is that I'm related to Zachary Taylor through my mother's side of the family. But we know about family stories.


Yesterday I made bracelets from costume jewelry, combining the "pearls" from broken necklaces with vintage AB (aurora borealis) rhinestones. The AB crystals are faceted and have a special iridescent finish that reflects colors, aas a result of a very thin layer of metallic that has been deposited on the surface of the stone.

Today I'm creating a bag from gold and silver fabric. I want to try a new pattern. We'll see if I can get it done.