Whimsy and Stars Studio

Ahhh!

We are back from our family's summer vacation at Sanibel Island. We spent our 5 days at this place, which was unbelievable!....swimming, resting, shopping and enjoying every minute of each delicious seafood and pastries we ate! The hotel had exquisite cuisine and scrumptious pastries! I loved Palm Court Bakery which had fantastic coffees, pastries, desserts, and gelatos.

Accomodations were heavenly....Here are some pixs from the view from our hotel room...Amazing sunsets!

We also visited downtown Sanibel Island, full of beautiful shells, unique local shops and to top it off we had lunch at this funny cool place. It was a blast to eat there! One of my fav places to shop was at Periwinkle Place were I found one of the stores I love for their eye candy: Fresh Produce

It was a refreshing time for us and we have returned home feeling so renewed and happy!

This is one my latest crafty projects...a cute hand painted sign for my home. I love pink roses (pretty obvious, ha?) I used acrylic paints.

In other note...I have been "hunting & searching" for a cute bistro for my back screened porch for almost 2 years and last year I finally found it at one of my fav stores but it was sold out! The clerk told me I needed to wait until the next spring to buy one! Yikes!

Well, I waited one whole year and this week I crossed all my fingers (and toes) and stopped by the store and there it was my Villa Toscana bistro waiting for me. After convincing myself that it's OK to buy it (and trying really hard not to feel guilty) I bought it!

It's so cute! Now I can sit at my porch and drink my morning coffee and see the sunset in the evenings...I can draw and paint siting there....I'm a very happy girl! It even inspires me to look at it. (I'll post pixs soon...)

Hey, call me silly but I know some of you know exactly what I'm talking about.  I love been at home and be surrounded by happy & homey things.

Have a sunny and cheery week!

(here in Central Florida the weather is divine!)

It's Birthday Time!

This coming Sunday it's my Bday and I'm so excited! I feel it's going to be a great weekend! Tomorrow our family it's going to spend most of the day at our local state Strawberry Festival were you can built your own giant strawberry shortcake (mmm!) with lots and lots of whipped cream. We will enjoy great "fair food" and have a blast.

Then on Sunday I'm taking a class at my local scrapbook/stamp store to learn how to make those super adorable paper bag albums! Check all the cuties at Ebay. Nothing like playing with cute ribbons, patterned papers and buttons on your birthday! (I'll post my final project on Monday).

On my wish list....a yummy cheescake w/strawberries topped with candles...or a divine Flan would do also!

Cool Links: I'm totally into these sites: Making Memories and Simple Scrapbooks.

I'm renewed and happy! (can you tell?!!) I have returned from my amazing trip to The Angel Company Winter Retreat in The Elms Resort & Spa in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. I was invited to teach rubberstamping and coloring techniques for two days. Not only I was able to hang out with lots of wonderful & creative friends but I also had the chance to enjoy a Serenity Bath with moisturizing milk, oils and lavender with lots of bubbles and an awesome pedicure! What a treat! (Thank you so much TAC!)

About 100 ladies around USA, Alaska & Hawaii attended this refreshing stamping retreat and we spent 4 days stamping, scrapbooking, giggling and not sleeping that much...a blast! Each time I get together with this girls it's like a big family reunion.

Besides all of the great projects and techniques learned I was also introduced to a new type of journals...made of paper bags. This gorgeous book was made by the super creative Stephany Hedgepeth. I'm so in love with the artistry of this book!

I'm so thrilled to announced I was able to deliver (in person) all the new rubberstamp designs for the new The Angel Company catalog 05-06 this past weekend! It was so exciting to see the faces of Mischelle (TAC president) and Lori (TAC creative director)...they loved my new line of designs! Awesome! I can't wait for the unveling of the new catalog this summer!

Update: I have updated part of my website and I have added two new sections on this blog: Portfolio and the Stamped Card Gallery. Whoohoo! Also, thank you to my friend Jeremy Deal for adding animation to my new header on my main website, check the eyes of the girl!

Happy Things

 

•  I'm excited I just finished the children's activity book for the Florida Baptist Children Homes. I illustrated 12 black & white illos (for the kids to color). They came out really cute, I will post my fav soon.

•  I'm now working on my new 2005 rubberstamp designs which are licensed to The Angel Company. I have been working with The Angel Company for 5 years now and each year they blow my mind with all the fantastic lines of designs and products! The baby card sample is one of the ideas I have posted on my main website. I have a section called Project of the Month were I post my stamped card ideas.

On the biz side:I have been reading great inspirational articles (I'm always soaking myself into good-motivating materials) and I found this one: http://www.cakelove.com/flash/findingPassion.htm

  Have a cheery week!

Good day to be grateful!

 

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy—they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. 
Marcel Proust

Today my dear & talented friend Cindy (kindred spirit) invited me to join her for lunch at her home. I was so excited to finally find the time to hang out with her! Going to her home is like a mini retreat for me. When we chat, time flies! She always have the prettiest table settings, always with a theme! This month her table was filled with gorgeous apple themed tableware and vintage-like apple print napkins...even her cups were super cute! To topped off, she had a couple of cute, mini glass vases with precious tiny roses (one for her and for me!!) Truly, an overload of eye candy and priceless conversation ( our fav topics: family, home, our children, colors, art, design, crafts...) I left her home feeling totally refreshed & blessed...plus with a cutie vase of roses. I'm so blessed to have her as my dear friend!

Thank you so much, Cin! {hug}

As you read this little blog, I wish you endless friendships!