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.

 

Feb. 21, 2011

This is Presidents' Day and many businesses are taking a holiday, so I'm not doing any work for clients this morning. As I did most of yesterday, I'm surfing online for this and that, but will get cranking of some creative projects this afternoon.

Besides creative projects, I also need to work on some household projects. Although it's technically winter for another month, winter in Houston seems to be over. I need to store winter sweaters and coats until next year so I'll have more room in the small closets in the house.

Today I'm creating some wearable jewelry out of broken pieces. I'm going to an event this Sunday that has something to do with gold and silver, so I'm going to see what beads I have in those colors that can be made into something fun. Might even make a clutch using those colors. Photos to follow.

Feb. 20, 2011

Today I'm creating ... nothing, at least so far. I've read the paper and most of my People magazine, answered some emails, looked at Facebook, watched a sappy movie, and had a nap. I'm feeling somewhat guilty about my lazy day because Mr. B is outside racking leaves, but not guilty enough to go outside and help him. Think I might go for a bike ride later, but in general, for me today is all about being a bum!

Feb. 19, 2011

Went to see "Weekend with Picasso" at the Alley Theater tonight. Very interesting one man 90-minute play.  The actor who portrayed Picasso also wrote the play and painted the pieces used in the play. He wasn't allowed to replicate actual Picasso artwork, so he painted in the Picasso style. Thanks Kim and Warren for a fun evening!

Today I'm creating stacks from fabrics that arrived in the mail. I've recently ordered tons of vintage fabrics from ebay, and today I received multiple packages from all over the country (even got one from Great Britain). Still more fabrics will be arriving this coming week. I think it's time to step away from the ebay link and stop buying fabrics until I use lots of what I have.

Feb. 18, 2011

Not only is writing this blog a creative outlet, but it's journaling that helps me remember what I've done and determine what needs to be done. For instance, I had a "light bulb" moment yesterday when I realized that most of my days are organized into three sections: Mornings are spent working on client projects, afternoons are spent crafting, and evenings are spent with family and/or friends. Never realized this before.

Pictured today is another one of my favorite sewing patterns, this one a tote. The colors of the hydrangeas in the fabric are so vibrant and pretty. Although the fabric isn't vintage, I was drawn to the remnant because the flowers almost look hand painted. This is a fun weekend bag because it's stylish and big enough to carry all your treasures.

Today I'm creating, or am continuing to create, an uncluttered and organized craft area. Yesterday I spent four hours sorting, purging and discovering so many GOOD fabrics, BAD-ass beads, and UGLY thrash on the floor.

Feb. 17, 2011

I did a bit of staging in today's photo to showcase the cute clutch bag I made, as well as the beautiful white roses I received on the Saturday before Valentine's Day. The roses are open and so fragrant.

The pattern used for this clutch is a favorite of mine! It was a free Internet download I found years ago and have used over and over, including the first bag I made. I've made this clutch in everything from faded blue jeans to vintage cottons and linens to lush silks and velvets. The fabric for this clutch is a fun vintage linen that's very textural. The background color is salmon and the embroidered flowers are a soft red. As with most of the clutches I make, the lining is dupoini silk. Great bag for a casual evening out instead of a bulky purse.

Today I'm creating an uncluttered craft area. It will take me hours to re-organize and clean my workspace, which unfortunately will be messy before I realize it. Don't think I'll post before pictures!

Feb. 16, 2011

How exciting! Day three of blogging and I have three followers.

Yesterday was a full day (10 hours) of writing for a client. No matter how old I get, I hope I never have to give up working with clients. It's really rewarding to be able to use my brain and transfer thoughts and strategies to the written word. It's even more rewarding when the client has the good sense to like what I write!

I also used my brain yesterday to figure out how to post photos to my blog, so I'm attaching pictures (with captions ... I'm so proud) of my apron project from Feb. 14.

Today I'm creating an organized garage apartment where my craft room is located. Don't know what the creative project du jour will be, but look for photos tomorrow.

Side A of Valentine's apron

Side B of Valentine's apron

Feb. 15, 2001

Yesterday I made an adorable old-fashioned reversible apron for Valentine's Day. Even made a heart-shaped pocket on one side. Next I need to read all the information about this blog site to figure out how to post photos.

Interesting spot on the Today show this morning about people reinventing themselves as they age. A man became too old and tired of performing on Broadway, so he went back to school for three years (cost of $60K) to learn acupuncture. He said he wasn't giving up on his first career, but rather adding something to it.

Today I'm creating word magic at a client's office so my creative endeavor is fulfilled. Yesterday and today show a good balance between my "day job" and "second job," and how it's possible to add something to what I already know/do.

Feb. 14, 2011

Today is the first day of my blogs. Not sure how everything works with the blogs, but I do know the purpose of my blog: to create something every day and write about it on my blog. Since today is Valentine's Day (Happy Valentine's Day Mr. B), I'm going to start by creating something from red fabric. Hopefully I'll discover during the day how to post photos so I can share what I make today.

Today I'm creating my first blog.