My Bella Colle My Beautiful Life

Friday

Okay...here's the thing... I've been trying to get this cleared up for a week now! Someone stole some personal information from me and used it to pay their cell phone bill! Can you believe the nerve? Needless to say, the bank has been alerted as well as the authorities... I would just like to caution everyone to monitor your accounts and change your password regularly!! I just learned the hard way...ya think "oh, it will never happen to me.." Yup! Thankfully the scum has been caught early and didn't steal much..I feel like screaming "Go get a life and stop stealing other peoples!" It's just a shame that there are scum out there masquerading as people with evil intent that pray on the honest folks. Ruins it for everyone!

NOW...TO CHANGE THE SUBJECT.... on the lighter side.. I dug out my water colors to day and set about painting! I don't think I've watercolor since High School... I do love this medium though..

It gives the completed work wonderful shading and texture! My subject was a simple wedding cake. I can tell now with the finished work... I have a lot of practice to do... but in all...

Not bad! It's kinda cute in a "Whoville" / Dr. Suess kinda way...LOL...As I had stated in my previous post, I'm captivated with sketching! Something fun and new for the Summer to work on.

I hope everyone had a wonderful week! Only 4 more school days left for the boys!! yayaya!!!

XO

Cuppa

                                         {Cuppa my charms waiting for their jump rings}

Hello! I wanted to share a wonderful magazine I found while browsing Barnes&Noble. I have been on a quest for what is ... authentic...joyful living.. a creative life that isn't shaped by its circumstances but a life that can rise above the now... I was moved by this post as well on Melissa's The Inspired Room... So, grab a 'cuppa' and let me tell ya about some of the stories in this magazine.

I have never seen this magazine before...Duh! Where have I been I'm sure some are thinking.. The caption under the title truly says it! La Vie Claire

I think everyone can live creatively! Why get stuck in what a mold of what is considered creative..art... beauty. The below story, 'The Art of Travel' really spoke to my heart. A wonderful artist named Mari Le Glatin Keis believes that even the "wrong color" has its place... I quote the author Jennifer Sperry " The only rule artist Mari le Glatin Keis upholds is that there are no rules." She speaks of embracing and looking at things the way children so innocently interpret the world around them every day.. How did we lose that?

Mari is a traditionally trained artist from the L'Ecole de Beaux-Arts in Paris.. she shy-ed away from teaching because she felt art school was "depersonalizing and constrictive"..But now after many years of listening to her heart has taught hundreds of adults on her traveling workshops the joy of letting go of expectations through sketching!

Granted there are a lot of wonderful mixed media/collage/art charm creators/antique boutique owners out there...but I'm here too... so long I've been paralyzed with the fear of failure and criticisms of others.. but from what I learned in collage, art is getting people to see something in a new and interesting way.. the pure and simple act of taking a thought or idea and translating into some for of medium like painting or printmaking or even interior design is joy to me! Why do it if your stomach is tied in knots every time you sit down at your work station to create?...

This story is about a woman who participated in an art retreat called "Artista creative safari" in Carmel California. Again the resounding message in this retreat was to 'quell the pressure to perform and simply to enjoy"... And so... this message has become concrete in my heart.. I WILL live a creative life! Because it is my life... joy first in my heart that will overflow to those around me... I thank the good Lord that He is helping me grow...

I embrace this saying! Joie de Vivre!! The joy of life!! How about you? What brings you joy in this life? Is it your family? Your creations... Lets find joy in the here and now...

Lastly, this story is about a cooking school in France run by Patricia Wells at her home Chanteduc. Patricia teaches her students to embrace the joy of cooking..they learn professional techniques... as well enjoy 'field trips' to surrounding areas learning about French cuisine.. she even has an oven owned by Julia Childs... According to the story Patricia has infectious laughter which her students can't help but catch...a memorable experience I'm sure!!

Simple things can bring joy to ones soul... Living a creative life is an art in my opinion and there are some who have become masters! I would say I've become a student on that quest, I'm by no means perfect, but there is no turning back now! lol!.... how about you?

Hope your week is goin' wonderfully...

XO

Happy Memorial Day

I hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day! Thank you to all who have served and paid the ultimate price for our freedom! Thank you to all the family's who have lost a loved one who sacrificed their life for our country. Thank you to everyone who is serving now. Your duty and service doesn't go unnoticed...

XO

Patina something Lovely...

Patina: (pat'n-a) noun. 1. A fine crust or film on bronze or copper: it is usually green or greenish blue and is formed by natural oxidation; it is valued as being ornamental. 2. Any thin coating or color change resulting from age, as on the surface of old woodwork.

I patina-ed some larger collage charms I made many moons ago today... I love how they turned out! They have a wonderful quality of loved and aged treasures from long ago.

Some folks have the luxury of being able to buy brand new high end furniture and accessories.. but we don't here..But that's okay because being the sentimental fool I am, worn and loved is what I prize!

This charm says " Keep up appearances what every you do" and have a Victorian lady on the front.

These two are the backs of " He's tough ma'am tough" and "Has anyone seen my dog Totto?"

Here it is as a drawer pull on a loved dresser at the top of our stairs that holds our linens... These larger charms are so much fun! They add whimsy and interest where ever they are...

Patina is so beautiful in my eyes.. I use estate silver everyday, and no it's not bright and shinny.. Things that have acquired this wonderful warm look always remind me of older relatives homes... a feeling of comfort and fun...

{Designers in Residence 2000}

Who is the 'Queen of Patina'? There is no one in my mind that embodies this sense of timeless elegance The.... Carol Hicks Bolton You can find some of her wonderful creations at Homestead Hico

{Mary Engelbreit Nov. 1999} Can't you just see these wonderful treasures coming from some wonderful estate somewhere? Aged and loved pieces have history... that is what makes them such a wonder to me. Who owned this originally? Was this a wedding present? Things like that...

{Mary Engelbreit Nov. 1999}

And if you do find a treasure but it seems abit too new.... you can patina it your self with a bath of coffee... or there are patina acids that turn metal that wonderful color like what I used on my charms...

Patina... something lovely this Friday...

Have a wonderful weekend!

XO

Emotion of France

Here is my contribution to the 'les emotion de la France' book swap. Now... I just have to print out twenty four pages...glitterfy and send in!! When I was able to visit France..it was wonderful!

I just wanted to share real quick... #1 has an appointment in a couple of hours to take his drivers test to get his license! It's kinda weird how they do it here...we actually have to go to another city because there were no appointments available in the city we live. You have to make an appointment months in advance! I remember just walking in and takin' it.. gosh..that was a long time ago!lol!!

Anyway..wish us luck! I hope he passes..just for his sake.. it will give him some self confidence.

Hope everyone is having a fabulous week!

XO

Texture

Happy Monday... Busy weekend.. I have been painting and sprucing up to get the house ready to sell our selves... I just had to pause as I was packing some odds and ends away... with the wonderful textures around me.. I'm constantly looking for inspiration around me and I didn't even stop and realize I had inspiration right in my own bedroom... This is one of my bedside table lamps.. I smudged my self out of the reflection..but I just love the silver sheen these lamps have.. smooth and cool to the touch.. mini gazing balls.

This is a beautiful white rose wreath that hangs over our bed. Now with the chocolate froth walls and white trim..soft pristine folds right above our head...

Here is an antique picture that hangs on our door... simple.. the gilded frame adds a beautiful ridged trim...

Now to my favorite! I love birds nests... something about the intricate weave of the grass and fibers makes me feel all cozy.. Aren't the smooth eggs lovely? The colors are a wonderful tan and the faintest of blue... wonderful inspiration for my blog colors! I'll have to play around with that later.  So lets see we have; smooth, ridges, soft, thread like...

This is the inspiration for the Mothers Nest available in the Shoppe

Here is a new charm available there as well... Only one available...when it's gone it's gone..

Here is the front...

Have a great Monday!

What wonderful texture can be found in your world?

XO

Happy Birthday

Well.. it's a birthday today! #1 turns 16!! Oh my...where did the time go? Just seems like yesterday he was born.... There are times I think teenagers have lost their minds..then he turns around and surprises me.. We had a wonderful dinner tonight...At his fave place "Old Chicago".. When DH comes home from work we will have a party for this guy.. 16... hmm... he's going to go and take his drivers test for his licence this Wed... OH my... I love you #1!! I pray you have many more.. Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

Who's afraid of Color?

{Designers in Residence 2000} Who's afraid of a little Color ? I must admit I am...a bit color shy when it comes to room colors...granted I have a dove gray bathroom..and a sage green hallway. But I've never been so carefree to add wonderful color. I stick to neutral backdrops...tan..white..lightest of pink, NEVER reds! or orange or yellow.. {Traditional Homes May 2008} But, I think once we can sell this house we are in and move.. I will try some wonderful new color palettes!! Would you just look at the wonderful colors in this living room!! My scanner didn't truly pick up the colors like it should... that is chartreuse on the ceiling ladies and gentlemen! The chairs are pink with yellow piping..Aren't those curtain a wonderful splash of freshness?

{Traditional Home May 2008}

This wonderful settee is yellow and hot pink! These bright colors really do warm up the room. If you are color shy like I am, simple throw pillows would be a great 'baby step' to inject a room with a punch of color. Hmmm..I'm really digging the pinks!!

{Designers in Residence 2000}

Liven up a dinning room in red?!! Never in a million years would I put such a dramatic color on the walls..till now... color is wonder! It brightens the mood and can evoke wonderful feelings of comfort or excitement.

Why not try some color today?! Hmm..where is that hot pink spray paint?!lol....

Happy Wed. everyone.

XO

p.S...day 7 with the nails! And they still look great.

Black and White

Hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's day! I did... Wonderful family time and lots of good food! lol! Oh yes...and a new set of golf clubs too!

Here is my submission to Somerset's Black and White... Deadline is August 15th. This will be my second piece I've submitted... I hope this will be considered! Black and White can be a somber theme.. but

After painting the background and adding the sheet music... The thought for this collage all fell into place. Life is a song! Truly it is.. Sometimes it can be fast and furious like 'Flight of the Honey Bee' or a Broadway show tune like 'Your Neverfully Dressed without a Smile' ...or sometimes it can be like 'Taps' .

But it's your song! You can sing it loudly! Not all people like the same music, that's okay 'cause I think life gets pretty boring hearing the same song over and over...don't you? I hope everyone has a wonderful week! I haven't been able to visit like I should...I will try and stop by soon!

XO

Friiidaaay!!!

YaaaY!!! It's Friday!! What a week...whew... and tomarrow is opening day for #2's little league season... Busy Busy... Just wanted to pop in and share a new blog banner I'm going to have for sale in my etsy store... Oh yeah, two new sites I found! Lookin' for ephemera and images? Check these sites out... DigitalCollageSheets and finchleypaperarts Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Nail update! It's been 3 days and they still look great!! I've cleaned..done dishes and fought with changing sheets and other laundry and they have stayed put!