Join Us at the Trashion Show

Last year I attended this show as a judge, spectator & whatever else they needed me for.  I'm happy to say the 2nd annual Trashion Show will be tomorrow night at the Holiday Inn Salymia.  All proceeds benefit women in need here in Kuwait.

I'll be working with Trash to Treasure again this year as a photographer.  I have not had any sort of sneak peek of the work & cannot wait to see it.  My volunteer work has been more behind the scenes & unfortunately has been placed on the back burner of late date.  I hope to one day be as involved as I used to.

The pictures that follow are from last year's event.  The last photo is of my good friend Cheryl Spessert.  She was one of the visionaries that began Trash to Treasure.  She is no longer in Kuwait but she will be at  the event in spirit.  

Come out & see the show Tuesday November 1st at the Holiday Inn Salymia at 7pm.  Tickets are available at the door.  

Getting Settled - New Wares

 One of my new vignette areas.

 

Finally!  For those that don't know, we've moved, yet again.  That makes the sixth year in a row.  I realized one night, I lived in 3 different states one year.  I'm glad my life is never dull.  So what does this all mean for me?

Some things never change!  The current mess works in progress on my jewelry table.

I have an art room again!  Yippie!  It's huge & I've been setting a bit up each day.  I have a jewelry station, paper arts area, areas to display & store made products - I even have a Cricut area.  I promise to show pictures when it doesn't look like a maze to get through.  Sometimes unexpected news turns out for the better.
 

 Spring Flower Necklace

I've made some new things & will list them in the store this week.  In addition to having a new space to create I've also been afforded the opportunity to have dedicated time to my business.  

From the Rocks Necklace collection: Pink Princess

Thanks for stopping by.  With this new found time, I hope to be blogging a bit more. I've missed it!

Behind the Scenes

Long time no post!  I haven't had much activity on-line with the blog, store & flickr, but I've been oh so busy!  I'll be peddling my wares in 10 days & there's so much to do.  I'll be back with a store update & let you know how the show goes.  Here's some new stuff.  Enjoy!

 

 

  

  

 

Operation Hope

Remember this post?  This is what I'm doing.  I am so fortunate to be working alongside a wonderful team of women.  I am working with the group Operation Hope with the Trash to Treasure project.  I almost feel guilty that I am having such a good time with volunteer work.  I see such energy & hope in these women that should be broken.

My mentors Cheryl & Becky are facilitating Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.  After that I help facilitate with jewelry making while Cheryl is teaching weaving to make rugs & bags.  Runda has been our hospitality coordinator & I help her serving the women.
I believe in this program because of the fact that we are enabling the ladies with skills & knowledge to dream & succeed.  This volunteer work is so near & dear to me because we visit the Philippine Embassy, the country of my heritage.  I have yet to visit this beautiful land, but I feel such a connection with the country & the people because of the upbringing from my parents.  They fondly share stories with us & infused the culture into our everyday life.  While I am heartbroken over the circumstances that bring the ladies here, I am overwhelmed with joy to work with them.

To my crafty friends, I'd like to put out a request.  What projects/tutorials have you seen with recycling everyday items?  We're still doing a lot of brainstorming.  Cheryl's first project was last Christmas making ornaments.  I've found a ton on the internet, but I'd like to hear what you've done.

Digital frames from: Hof3

One World One Heart Winner

One World One Heart has been a wonderful event this year.  Thank you to Lisa for all your hard work & a very enjoyable event.  I'm still visiting all the links & Lisa will keep them up for the next 6 months for us to enjoy.  I've found some new blogs & some creative souls to revisit.

After taking out duplicates & non-bloggers, I used random.org to select my winner.  Kathy, come on down :)  She currently lives in NJ & posted some pictures from her London trip. 

Haiti By Hand

 

I happily stumbled upon this store by some roundabout blog surfing.  Boy am I glad I did.  Haiti By Hand is a store set up by Rebecca Sower.  Here is the description in the store announcement:

Haiti By Hand is an artisan group of Haitian women begun by Rebecca Sower. Just days before the earthquakes of January 2010, Rebecca was in Haiti working with this group of women. This etsy shop was established to showcase and sell the handcrafts of the Haitians, as well as a shop to sell items donated by artists and crafters who want to help this group of Haitians rebuild and establish themselves after the devastation of the earthquakes.

The entire purchase price of every item in this shop goes directly to the relief and rebuilding efforts of Haiti By Hand in Despinos, Haiti.

I Love that Rebecca is teaching these women a skill.  They are being empowered.  What an amazing & inspiring story.  You can read the stories & see pictures of the work first hand over at the blog.
What can you do?  Shop.  Donate your artwork or supplies - haitibyhand@att.net.  Twitter, Facebook, Blog.  Do what you can.  Tomorrow, I'll be donating some new jewelry I've been working on.  I just need the sun to peek out in my world.

One World One Heart 2010

Welcome to my One World One Heart post for old friends & new visitors

Wow, it's the fourth year that Lisa has hosted this wonderful event. As I was thinking about my post, I thought how perfect that it is themed a Magic Carpet ride.

This is my fourth year participating & I have been in 4 different locations for each one;

my hometown Tampa, FL

Dover, DE

Charlottesville, VA

and this year Kuwait City, Kuwait

I wanted to make something this year to commemorate this Magic Carpet Ride. I decided to make an altered composition book with a photograph I took here in Kuwait. Did you know there are beautiful beaches here? I didn't! I can't get over all the beautiful scenes here in Kuwait. If you're interested, you can see more Kuwait photos over on flickr. Just do a search with Kuwait as the key word. I've got a small photo set over there as well. I've visited mosques, markets, & even a few camels!

So here are the few things to sign up to win this composition book.

This is an international event, so all are welcome!

It's a blogging event, therefore all bloggers are invited to enter.

To enter, comment on this post only & make sure you are signed in with blogger or leave your blog info/email so I may contact you.

The ending date is Sunday February 14th at 11:59PM EST. I will announce the winner on Monday February 15th :)

So what is One World One Heart & why have I come back every year? Lisa gives the history & explanation here. For me, I've met so many people from around the world. Last year I even met a OWOH blog friend in person. Hi Cindy!

It's been fun to find so many like minded creative bloggers! I've learned & been inspired by so many. I hope you take the time to visit as many blogs as you can!

Comments are Now Closed.  I'll announce a winner later today!

Is It Really December?

We've been jam packed with activities here in Kuwait this fall season. The weather's kinda crazy. We dropped out of the 100's into the 90's then next thing you know, we have highs in the 60's. Of course, we're acclimated to the hot weather, so it's cold here now. I'm wearing sweaters & layering!

We took a day trip out to the desert.

On our way to find some camels.

Took a cool Self Portrait.

Watched an amazing Sunset.

We also took a trip out to the beach this past weekend. This is what the beach looks like in Kuwait in December.

Peddling my wares in my first craft show here. Most of my props are in storage so my table didn't look as full as I wanted it to. Of course, I had grand ideas to have TONS more stuff to sell. I'm getting ready for next Christmas now :)

There are more pics over on my flickr account.

In ♥ Love♥ With My Dress & My Date

Hee hee, it's like I'm going to the prom! I've been running around trying to figure out what to wear to the ball. I found this pink pleated dress about a week ago & made my hubby take me back today to get it. I couldn't stop thinking of it. I had another dress, but it needs alterations. I attempted to go to a tailor yesterday but there was a *bit* of a communication issue. So here I am with my pink princess dress, which still needs altering. It's too long, of course, but there's no hem, just a raw edge. I'm petrified of cutting it, but I've started so no turning back. I'll post pictures after the event. I better go. Alterations to be completed & jewelry to be designed & created!

Wow, 2 posts in 1 day!

Thank You Katie

I've had the opportunity to take some great on-line classes this past summer. One of them is the Year of Color Blog by Kari Ramstrom. There are lots of tutorials for crafts, journaling, photography & home decor. Look at the goodies I won! They are adorable as a set & I plan to keep them together. Katie Runnels is the amazing artist that did the tutorial. She was sweet enough to give away her samples & she sent them all the way over here to me. Thank you for helping me make my house a home :)

I'm Such a Freak - Art & Soul Part 1

Does Art & Soul have to be over? Can't I stay & play with pretty paper & blow torches? I had the best time! I waited 3 years to attend & it was well worth it.

So how am I a freak? Read on...

I was not able to take a class from Stephanie Lee, but she signed a copy of her book for me. I adore her techniques & work.

Saturday during our lunch period, I got in the elevator to head back to class. It stopped & in walked Sally Jean!! I about jumped out of my skin. When I bought her book, I kept telling my hubby it was the bible of soldering. I couldn't put it down. This time around, my schedule didn't permit me to take a class with her, but I bought a few pieces from her (I own Sally Jean's work), she signed my book, & I took a picture with her. I caught her before class this AM & I had NO MAKEUP on. I look horrendous, but I have a picture with her :) I also still have coffee in my hands!

The class I took was with the lovely Jane Wynn. If you ever have a chance to take a class with Jane, do it! She's an awesome teacher to learn from. She's patient & has a wealth of information to share. You can really tell she loves what she does. Jane is very creative & oh so witty. I was lucky enough to buy one of her jewelry pieces & she signed her book for me too.

I'm ready for my next art retreat. I don't know when I'll be able to go again, but I know I need to. I'll post more pics in the next post.

Pink Saturday ~ March 28

For Pink Saturday, I thought I'd show the necklace & packaging I donated to my son's school. I had the funnest time participating. The necklace is made of apple green dyed turquoise, Czech rounds in a peachy coral color, ivory coral branches & a silver & coral pendant. To the right is the box I decorated for the necklace.

I also had the opportunity to make some special planters with each of the kids classes. The kids did finger prints & I made little pictures with them. Lots of garden critters & flowers. I had such a blast with all of them. The cutest thing is that my little one asks me if I'm coming to paint with him & his friends again :)

Thanks to Beverly for hosting Pink Saturday. Make sure you visit her blog to see all the participants.

Snow Day

Woo hoo, we got enough snow to play in!!These are just a few pictures. I love to take snow pictures. I think it's so beautiful!

Yea, another snow day, but lots of snow this time. I couldn't believe it. We just don't get snow here in Charlottesville like I thought we would. It snowed all night & was still snowing this morning. The kids & I went out to play even though it was only 22 degrees outside. It's not really so cold; it's the wind!

My oldest son has another snow day tomorrow & the younger one has a 2 hour delay. I don't know how the pictures will be tomorrow. It's supposed to be clear, so no more snow :( We didn't leave our house because the driving conditions were so bad so I only have pictures from the yard.