I can't believe there are 34 days until Christmas. 
"Holly-Day" Brooch giveaway
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Just leave a message on this post and I'll randomly draw a name and post the winner (within the next week or two)!
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Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
Isn't this adorable? A darling little pink tin... so girly!
It comes with a bright pink powder puff!
Smells like roses
All their packaging is in English AND Chinese
I just love it!
A gorgeous fashion magazine called Madame Figaro
With dreamy fashion ads
And fabulous fashion spreads!
A present for Albie too. Even though he never smells like a "real" dog. It's so cute.
The most beautiful matchbox I've ever seen! Lots more too like a make-up kit, Chinese tea set and flowering tea. Thanks so much Mindi! I love everything!
"Bella"
"Mornin' Sunshine"
"Paris Dreams"
"Lavender and Lilacs"
Here is a fabric and lace necklace I designed for my brother's sweetheart and long-term girlfriend.
Here is a necklace I made from a kit that I bought from French General last year. My hands were a little sore after finishing but it was worth it. I added some of my own special bits including a favorite red candy-like button from my mom's vintage buttons. I think it turned out so cool. The little kit is called 3 Ring Circus. Such a clever name!
"Dreamy Girl" pillow ~ Available in my Etsy Shop
I also sewed up a new cushion for my studio chair. Here is Albie testing it out for me; he thought it was very comfortable. 
I really went "all out" and put up my googly-eyed skeleton on the front door like I always do. This year I glued daisies on his head for a new look! I just love the expression on Albie's face in this picture. He looks like he is grinning, doesn't he?
Here I am at age 3. This was my first and LAST "scary" costume. I do love the pink pants and matching pink tennis shoes! 
Here is Albie modeling his new tartan jacket in shades of maroon and blue. I decided Albie needed a couple new little winter coats for the holiday season. I don't use patterns. I just took another coat which was store bought and used it to cut around. The rest I just figured out. This cute little coat is even lined in matching maroon satin! Thanks for the fabric, Jamie! I told you I would put it to good use!
Albie is just about "over" me taking his pictures at this point.
Here he is sporting his darling new paisley fleece jacket... oh but the eyes are starting to water. He has really had enough of the photo shoot now.
I apologized and gave him a big hug. NO more photos for today, I promise.
I thought it would be fun to share these darling pictures of my first Bichon Frise, Chloe Valentine. I sewed this little dress for her for her first birthday on February 14, 1992. I had so much fun making it for her. As you can see, she was quite a ham and didn't mind being photographed at all. As a matter of fact, when she saw the camera, she would literally pose or tilt her head. She loved the attention.
I designed this costume for Chloe for an event in 1994 called Bichon Day in the Park. Chloe came in first runner up as Carmen Miranda... fruit hat and all! 
All the little cameo girls are ready to be packaged up with all their little beads and bits to make these...
A sweet and soft "Regency Necklace" - option ONE
And option TWO
Here are just a few fun shots of the girls wearing their necklaces! 
...And I thought it was time to share a new picture of my mom's darling little four-legged, Romeo... he's growing up! (But he is still in that "adorable" puppy stage.... right Mom?)
Doesn't he have the cutest little smile? Awwwwww.....
The class title: Beloved Necklace
Albie wearing his little Halloween scarf.
Here is a little snippet from a journal page in The Royal Confections Round Robin Group I've been participating in. This book belongs to my friend Sandy with the theme being "Tea." It's a very pretty book filled with so many talented artist's gorgeous pages.
I am taking requests for custom brooches. Here is a brooch featuring my darling Albie, but couldn't you just see your grandma's Yorkie or your best friend's cat on one of these? 
Here is an art apron I designed for Michelle at Vintage Girl. It's quite sweet with lots of vintage bits!
Tomorrow is Glitterfest! Getting up at the crack of dawn (for me) at 5:30am to get ready and out the door for set up! I can't wait. Hope to see you there!
LOOK at this adorable "mini me" that Sandy of Sandy's Creations made for me! She gave it to me when we met for the first time at Artistic Affaire L'Automne a couple weekends ago. Sandy and I have known one another through Blogland for a long time but it was so fantastic to finally meet in person! She found a picture of me as a baby on my blog and turned it into this adorable little piece of art. Thanks very much, Sandy! I love it!
Monica is one of my favorite artists! Her artwork is incredible and I am a lucky girl to have my very own rag doll designed by Monica. She is a woman of many talents and can make anything! Out of the blue I received this precious artist trading card. It made my day! 
Leave me a comment and next weekend I'll randomly choose a winner out of a "hat!" YOU could win a brooch like one of these and I'll also include some of my favorite goodies!
I continue to be a busy bee designing unique items like the brooches above and these Good Witch pillows for Glitterfest, which is taking place next weekend on Oct. 10th! If you're in the Southern California area, I hope you can make it!
Click to view larger
And moving on.... some more exclusive aprons!
" The Pin Up"
"Pinky the Pin Up"
And this "No Nonsense Nurse" was created for a new friend, Cat. She is a nurse and asked for a nurse-themed art apron. (Also, I wanted to say how much I LOVED Lisa Kettell's class but I have not finished my shadowbox and doll to share quite yet. I was so happy to meet her. I think I've known her longer than anyone in this wonderful artist's community!)
And Ruth shared her beautiful techniques on stitching lovely cuffs. Here is my completed piece. I just love it!
Photos taken throughout the day of all my friends. They are all so special.
Some more photos. I love the one at the bottom/middle of Kim and Jenn. So sweet.
Here are some fun shots of us girls in the shop trying on hats, chatting and shopping.
Look at this gorgeous vintage Lucite box I found at the Julie's Vintage Emporium. Perfect for holding my favorite buttons!
Amy Powers from Inspire Company had the sweetest and most sugary table. We actually shared a table and we had so much fun.
Christine of Dollybelle's Peepshow's table was so lovely and filled with the girliest must-haves.
Here are some snaps of portions of my table filled with handmade brooches, pillows, book protectors and all sorts of fun little vintage supplies.
I have a few of these lovely "Good Witches" left and have added them to my Etsy shop.
I designed these cute little name badges for all the vendors to wear. Kim and I surprised the girls right before the big event began. I think everyone loved showing how cute they all were as toddlers.
This will be my last post until my much anticipated Artistic Affaire Market Soiree in Los Angeles (Hollywood) this Friday night! 
And just a couple pictures of Albie sporting his latest trim. I take him in to get groomed about every 3 to 4 weeks. Look at his sweet little pink skin. They trimmed him a little bit too short on the body this time. But that's okay. It is still very warm here in L.A.
Always with a little smile.... even though he is never too thrilled when I pull the camera out.
I am still very busy with all sorts of projects and making little lovelies for the BIG event coming up on the 18th: Artistic Affaire Market Soiree in Los Angeles (Hollywood). You can still buy tickets here.
I hand embroidered the name of the art apron "Flight of Fancy" in a special hidden spot. I think naming my aprons is a huge part of the fun!
Aside from living happily in Apronland I am also preparing for Kim Caldwell's incredible 3-day event later this month. I will be a vendor at the first night's event, Artistic Affaire Market Soiree on Sept. 18th. Click here to find out more. I hope you can make it!
I designed this for my sweet friend Val who does not have a blog but she attends all of Kim's lovely events. So many of you out there may know her.
Val wanted an apron to wear to Silver Bella... she only asked that I utilize a "vampy" type of vintage girl. I thought this lovely little temptress was just perfect as the focal point and I had so much fun working with these beautiful, rich colors.
I am elated! My name has been mentioned along with several other artists in the latest issue of Romantic Homes Magazine! Nancy of Gilding the Lily was so kind and included my name as an instructor in a lovely article about her shop in Fullerton, CA. The article is in the aesthetics section and is entitled, Detail Work. I was absolutely tickled to see my name in one of my favorite magazines - I even subscribe to it! It's quite a thrill! (See magazine cover in my side bar to the right.)
I am also thrilled that my artwork is in a brand new book called Good Mail Day. I submitted my "giant postcard" last summer... and here it is! It is very 3D but it is difficult to see in the photo. Mine is the one at the top left. 
And here is Albie posing with his dolls (just kidding... they are my dolls). Can you believe he is giong to turn 16 next month? He's just the most handsome doggy ever.
Here are a couple of cuties: Bryanna and Christine modeling their aprons... each unique... just like them.
It was my darling friend Dot's birthday last week. I sent her a goodie package and this was one of the little pieces I made for her, a sweet little wall hanging of her two kitties, Essie and Ronnie Boy. Dot just recently moved to a new place and is sill getting settled but she told me that she found the perfect spot for these Kitties.
My sweet and sophisticated friend Cheryl wanted an art apron for the Silver Bella event coming up in the fall. I was so pleased to make this "Tablier Français de Champagne" for her. The sash and the pretty toile hankies are in the prettiest cornflower blue color. I thought the shade of blue went so well with pewter, cream and black. She said she loves it!
And last up is a decorative pillow I made for my gal pal, Maryalena who lives a few miles away from me and who is a fabulous photographer. She loves interesting photography, black and white and nudes... so what a perfect pillow for her!
Albie loves following me around the house from room to room. When he is not acting as my shadow, this is what he does all day. He always seems to have a little smile on his face.
I am so excited about my art apron class that I will be teaching at Gilding the Lily, coming up on August 22nd. My kits have been ready to go since early last month (I'm a proactive kind of girl!) but I decided it would be fun to make some cute little "insignes Français" for the girls to wear.
A few weeks ago I went back to an old passion... painting and collage! I don't seem to do too much of that these days as I've become so excited about fabric projects! However, I wanted to give a little gift to a friend for her birthday so decided to create this piece.
And lastly, I am also really thrilled because I have signed up to be a vendor at my sweet friend Kim's event in September. I believe she still has spots available so check out her fantastic line-up of teachers here and sign up if you can! This will no doubt be one of her best events yet. I don't know how she does it but she always seems to top herself!
Let's use this cute Nancy Ann doll and favorite bunny as the focal point of the art apron!
Little special touches here and there...
Some hand beading
of course there had to be some bling!
Vintage hankies too
lots of ruffles and lace
Ribbons and prettiness
Thanks again so much Jenn for asking me to create your custom art apron. It was so much fun! 
Just a mile away from where I live, tucked in Culver City, CA is this fantastic art gallery/doll shop/cafe where they held The Valley of the Dolls event yesterday.
Some pictures I snapped while walking through the event. A visual Candyland adventure with cotton candy and sweet tarts for the sweet tooth.
Check out this adorable girl and her cupcake apron! How cute!
Okay... as much as I loved the doll event.... this is much more my speed. Getting together with my friends and going to pretty stores filled pretty things. This store is called Le Potager and it is located in Fullerton, CA. It is actually a house and it feels like you are walking into a lovely little hideaway in Tuscany. Beautiful decorative furnishings, garden items and lovely European florals and treasures abound! A very sweet place to visit if you are in the Fullerton area.
~ OPEN ~ 
LOOK at this gorgeous journal book cover made by my talented friend Jenny who lives in San Diego, CA. We all (The Big Bear Girls Club) had an ongoing poke at Jenny to start her blog so I will say it again here - Jennyeeee... c'mon already! We are pushing her because she is so talented and we're all positive that she will no doubt have a lot of great supporters out in Blogland.
A sweet gift from Jessi for me, the teacher (if I would had known that I'd get so many treats I would had started teaching a long time ago!)
While in Big Bear I found this absolutely amazing framed photo of one of mine and my mom's favorite actresses from the 20's, Mary Pickford! It's even signed! But the first thing that called out to me what that she was holding 4 adorable pups (which Jessi informed me were Beagle babies). I go crazy for any vintage photo of people or children posing with the beloved canine!
After our Big Bear getaway, some of us met in downtown L.A. for a little shopping. I do believe it was the hottest day of the week! It was a complete scorcher but we still managed to find some great goodies for our art projects! 
Kim & Jessi
~ The adorable Cynthia pictured here from Kim's Marie Antoinette event earlier this year ~
A fabric collage explosion!
Hand beading too!
A colorful artsy apron just for Cynthia. I couldn't come up with a name as I like to name all of my aprons so I just called it The Cynthia. I like that.
Mama's little helper, Albie Boy. Look at him! Isn't he handsome? For those of you have white dogs and want to know my easy secret of getting his face so white, send me an email and I'll be happy to share.
I finally did it! I found some lovely silk fabric, lace and beaded ribbon when I was shopping with my mom last month and put it all together to come up with this really cool belt.
It can be worn like this.
Or like this.
Big Bear Girls Club: Jamie, Holly, Joy, Cheryl, Kim H., Jenny, Sherry, Jessi, Kim C., Cynthia, Gina, Alice and Christine
The long awaited artsy craftsy weekend finally arrived! We had amazing thunder and rain the first night we were there, which cooled things off a bit but most of the weekend was very hot. However, the heat did not stop us from creating beautiful pieces of art!
Packed and ready to go... I worked on this journal page before I left for the long weekend.
My class sample: Big Bear Beautiful Nature Wall Hanging
I made this to wear for my class.
And I made these badges for the girls to wear during my class!
Me with my wall hanging. All the girls really enjoyed the class and I had such a good time watching everyone's creative juices flow. 
Holly & Christine
The Big Bear Girls Club!
Talented jewelry designer, Jamie commissioned me to make an apron for Kim Caldwell. Here it is looking so perfect just for Kim (for those of you who know Kim personally, this apron screams her name... it is everything sweet and lovely, just like Kim). The little girl is from Kim's blog banner and I found out over the weekend that it is actually a picture of Kim when she was young. She loved her apron and will be wearing it to the Silver Bella event later this year!
I gave Kim a matching pillow for her art studio too.
Cynthia and Christine before our extravagant "Favorite Supply" swap! We all gifted each other with our favorite supplies like glitter glass, fabric, laces, buttons, crepe paper... you name it and someone probably thought of it! My art supply is now stocked for a very long time!
Most of the girls participated in an beautiful vintage bottle swap. Look at these decorative bottles!
Jamie gave me this extraordinary antique album in the most pretty peacock blue color. She overheard me saying several months ago that I wanted one! So she took this from her own stash to share with me. Isn't that the sweetest thing to do? I will treasure it forever - it's very, very special and it is so pristine. 
* A surprise on my pillow *
Jessi & Jenny (Jenny - who has committed to starting a blog this summer!) 
Christine's class was fantastic! Entitled, Woodland Faerie Hideaway. The name alone is so adorable! Christine is a natural teacher and shared so much and provided us with explicit demonstrations. We all "feel in love" with making French beaded flowers!
Here is my finished piece delightfully rusted and ever so magical!
Resting after some antiquing.
Kim Hesson's class in action! Wood, glue, fabric, lace, bobbles... heaven! I didn't get to finish my trio-triptych project but I plan to soon! Kim is the queen of projects that involve wood. She really kept everyone excited and going even though it was so hot, our last day there, and most of us were quite worn out from all the fun. 
My mom is the best! I got a nice little surprise package filled with trinkets in the mail yesterday! Her friend owns and antique store and look at what she found for me! I can't wait to play!
Maija wanted an apron to wear to Silver Bella. She provided me with a picture of her Blythe doll, Molly. She said she wasn't "crazy" about the dress that Molly was wearing in the picture... so I decided to make her a new one! Now Molly is wearing a darling shabby chic vintage cotton dress. I think she looks so cute! Maija really loved the apron by the way!
I also made a mini apron for Maija's Molly to wear. Here is my Holly Go Lightly Pullip doll modeling it over her evening wear!
I ordered printer fabrics on-line and the seller inadvertently sent me silk habotai fabric instead of poplin cotton. I most likely would had never tried to work with silk but decided to give it a go and it worked beautifully and Molly looks so pretty printed on silk! It's easier to work with than one would think!
The underside
Molly's dress
Molly has a pet poodle
Here is my apron on display in the area where all the class samples are arranged for all the shoppers to see. I can't wait to teach this class. I am very excited about it.
LOOK at this gorgeous lampshade doll. Isn't she stunning?
Beautiful areas of the shop
Pearls and yellow roses... ahhhh so pretty.
Ribbons ribbons and more ribbons!!!
Glitter glitter and more glitter!
I'm going to be teaching an apron class at Gilding the Lily in Fullerton, CA on August 22nd.
Here is the apron I will be teaching. Oooh la la... it's called Soiree de Jardin!
I love this mermaid image. It's from a cover of La Vie Parisienne magzine. 
See if you can find the "real" mermaid shoe... not the one in the fabric image... it's someplace else!
My friend Sandy and I went shopping to find supplies for my classes in Downtown L.A. last week. I had the most fun with her. I always thought I was one of those people who did better alone so I could go at my own pace, but we had such a good time picking through things and finding some amazing things... even old vintage stock! We can't wait to go back! I just love this beautiful beaded soft peachy-pink button that I found in some old stash. The young girl who was helping us said she thought it looked like candy. I think so too!
When you're tired of your old jeans that just means it's time to spruce them up! I made my own couture ballerina jeans. I love how they turned out! It's so fun to recycle! The fabric behind the ballerina images is from an old skirt!
A-dressing the heart ~ here is my contribution ~ see Monica's blog for more information.
And finally, I designed another one-of-a-kind apron! I love the color combo and think the vintage black and white dotted Swiss fabric makes it look so sweet!
New aprons in my Etsy shop now!
This little birdie is very happy in his garden of tulips!
Why not wear your favorite singer on an apron instead of a t-shirt?
BEFORE:
AFTER:
I flipped the basket around since it will not be holding a baby... it works perfect to hold all of my special linens. It's nice to know that they weigh 4.8 pounds. 
I just found out that Jessi's father is very ill and in the hospital so she left home to go be with him. Please keep Jessi and her family in your thoughts, prayers, meditations, chanting... whatever you do. 
Albie sez "hi"
Albie is the best little helper! Actually, this photo is completely staged because Albie is very independent and doesn't get too cuddly for very long. He is very good at following me from room to room though!
Here is some pretty fabric I found at my favorite local fabric store. They've been around for decades and they sell discontinued and vintage fabrics by the pound! It's quite the fun place to visit!
And lastly, I decided to redo the back of my shabby desk chair. Previously, I had adhered some millinery flowers and ribbons but after almost two years, they started getting a little smashed. So I pulled them off and started over. I think it turned out really sweet.
I had a fantastic time up at my parent's house last week. I got to meet ROMEO, their new four-legged baby! We bonded immediately and had so much fun. I hadn't been around a puppy since my beloved Chloe back in the early 90's. I had forgotten how energetic and funny they can be. Romeo is going through the biting stage and loves to pull on pant legs, lick toes, tackle feet, dance on two hind legs, roll around.... oh he was just the cutest little guy! My parents are smitten! I'm doing my best to talk them into taking a trip someplace and dropping him off (just 8 little hours away) at my house first! I would love to doggy-sit him and I'm sure sweet Albie would enjoy having a youngin' around!
Here I am with my pretty mom!
A visit through Roseville, CA would not be complete without stopping by The Tattered House and saying hello to sweet Sandy. I sure love that place! Her prices are so fair!! It's difficult to resist buying everything! I found a gorgeous VERY large oval shaped shabby wooden frame that I just had to have. Now I am on the hunt for robin's egg blue velvet... I have an idea!
My Aunt Ernie sent me this ahhhh-mazing collection of linens that she has kept all these years. The beautiful "B" pillowcases were handmade by my Great Grandmother. My aunt believed that a couple of the other pillowcases were hand tatted by my Great Grandmother's mother... so that makes them antiques for sure! They are absolutely exquisite and I am one lucky girl to have them in my collection.
My mom and I went to a really nice flea market with several sellers and I found some great items! I always say that I just don't find the goods in L.A. like I do when I'm up there! Aren't these music sheets pretty? I also found some other jump-for-joy finds but I can't share them yet... I will be using them for a class I am teaching next month and for swaps so don't want to spoil any surprises (oooh... it's so difficult!)
My mom has been passing down her lovely collections of tea towels and vintage goodies to me for a long time so when she gave me these I was thrilled! Thank goodness she saved them. I remember using them on my bed when I was a little girl. The pink and aqua Southern Belle in the middle is just stunning (I have two of each!)
I am the lucky winner of this beautiful assemblage piece created by Suze of Junque Drawer Chick. Isn't is adorable? I found the perfect spot to hang it in my studio but I thought it would photograph well against our flourishing backyard Bougainvillea. Be sure to take a look at Suze's lovely blog. Thanks again, Suze! I love it. It's just the sweetest! 
Over Memorial Day weekend I got into a patriotic mood and started working on yet ANOTHER apron. They are just so much fun and my ideas seem to be endless. Here was my initial concept for a patriotic themed design. I loved this t-shirt but it was one those ones that were really short and barely met the waistline so I have been saving it for a few years unable to wear it and hoping I'd be able to recycle it. Bingo! It worked perfectly for an apron!
Add a hanky and some scraps, beads and vintage buttons....
More yoyos and handmade flowers...
And it's finished!
Ready to wear on the 4th of July!
Mom an Dad have a new fur baby! Let the puppy fun begin! Sleepless nights, chewing, whimpering, playing, training, cleaning up.... PRICELESS! They are both thrilled with their new doggie-boy. His name is Romeo and he is a Shitese, which is a cross between Shih Tzu and Maltese. An adorable little fellow that I am getting to know through the cute stories and photos and will soon meet him in person in just a couple weeks! I am so excited! 
A pretty necklace made with my grandmother's chains that I took apart and rearranged. The heart belonged to her and the rest are pieces I found at one of my favorite stores, French General.
A lovely new book with pages and pages of inspiration and beautiful art. So many of my blog friends are in here!
I collaborated on a paper bag book back in 2007 and was thrilled to get the news that my page would have a spot in this wonderful book. Here is a photograph of my actual book set against the page with my artwork.
Thanks Everyone for all your great comments on my last apron post. I'm starting another one today! Happy days!
When my sweet friend Christine of Dollybelle's Peepshow asked me if I'd make her an apron utilizing her favorite "Dollybelle" flapper-girl image I couldn't resist!
This vintage gal has the sweetest face and was so inspiring to me!
Here is Christine's new apron! I know she'll look adorable in it!
For Molly: Bill and Molly on their honeymoon in 1955
For my mom: My pretty mom dressed as a flapper on Halloween in the late sixties
For Evelyn: Made for my sweet, elderly neighbor who's daughter was a ballerina (still is!)
And LOOK! Have you heard of Boopsiedaisy? I have been an admirer of her sweet and funky dolls and photography for a long time. I am now the proud owner of one of her original dollies. This one is called Cream Puff and she is part cotton candy girl/part bunny. She is scented with the yummiest cotton candy scent too!!! My whole studio smells soooo good. Check out the website here! Thank you so much Mindi, I love her!!!
It all starts to come together to make a pretty affirmation page
1. Our first and last love is Self-love
Doodling, affirmations and knowing... it's all good! 
I emailed this to my friend Sandy to show her how cute it was. She replied and asked, "What party is he going to and who is he going to Interview"? I thought that was very funny! 
The apron addiction continues!
It has a cute underskirt.
For those of you who have been following my blog you might remember my mom’s precious paper dolls that she gave me a few years ago. When I was a little girl I would sneak into the cedar chest where my mom kept her keepsakes. I would gently take the paper dolls out and admire them and wonder what it was like back in the 1940’s, the era which the paper dolls represented. These pretty paper dolls are probably one of my strongest memories of fashion and art and my childhood.
I’ve utilized my precious paper girls in so much of my art so many times. This week they have been copied onto fabric and have a new home on a fashion apron! What fun I’m still having with these lovelies so many years later!
Albie loves to follow me from room to room.... from my art studio out to where the sewing machine is located in another room... back and forth, back and forth. He gets great exercise!
A new project that took a really-really-really long time to put together. I tend to like projects that move quickly. This one took me easily six or seven hours to make over the course of a few days because of all the beading and hand stitching. It's a very large, dense pillow measuring at about 18x18 inches. I've utilized gorgeous fabric that I found at French General along with some vintage remnants. I printed pretty images of birds and of course the girl's head and her body out on fabric and created a pretty floral world for the girl to live in. Available on my Etsy now!
Next up! Here is my favorite sweet little vintage bird. I found the greatest vintage cuckoo clock from a Sears ad and used that for the backdrop. Darling and fragrant dried rosebuds are stitched in a pocket of tulle at the bottom of the bird's nest with pretty vintage lace. The 5x12 inch piece is ready to hang by beautiful silk ribbon. Also available on my Etsy. 
Jenny
