Hart 2 Heart

Spring is springing!

Thank you all who commented here and on my facebook page about the Faberge cookies. I found out that they were to be given as favors for a special event at the Russian Embassy, to honor a philanthropist who gives generously to the Russian-American community. I'm hoping to get some photos. . . we shall see! It took me a few days to recover from their production, and while taking a moment off, I was able to stop and smell the roses.

This bush is always my favorite. It is the most prolific bloomer and the flowers burst open like flames.

This one's a bit more subtle, but very purdy. I also have yellow, red and purple roses in my garden. I always like the look of a monochromatic flower garden, but I could never do it myself. There are just too many beautiful colors to choose from.

When my dad was visiting in January, we planted these pretty pots. The funny thing is, we did not plant that glorious yellow Ranunculus. It was actually a volunteer, that showed up later. I do enjoy a lovely surprise.

I planted my Calla Lilies when we first moved into our house 12 years ago, and they bring it every year. 

I'm loving succulents more all the time. This basket hangs near my side gate to the backyard. It's been looking good for a couple years now.

And last on my scenic tour is the harbor view we enjoyed for Easter brunch. After baking and decorating cookies non stop for Easter, there was no way I was going to pull off an Easter celebration at home. So I made reservations. The weather was absolutely perfect, as were the mimosas and lobster benedict. yum. 

Hope you're enjoying Spring wherever you are. See you soon!

 

Studio view

I thought I'd share a bit of what was happening in my studio this week. I didn't clean up, I just thought I'd keep it real. This is NOT Martha's craft room. It is actually quite organized, but I'm always so busy working, that, well, what can I say. . .

Cheryl snapped some photos, while Paloma and I worked away. Since Paloma is way cuter that me, I insisted that she put HER in the photo collage.

I LOVE my workspace! That's me, in the back at the sewing machine. We are trying desperately to get a loan modification so we can actually afford to keep our house. I know we are in the same shape as so many people out there. There is hope, and it seems things are going in the right direction. 

My main project this week was sewing up some burp cloth sets. Each one includes two coordinating burp cloths, an appliqued onesie, and a baby spoon. Great new baby gift!

I like ribbons.

Lanky is always helpful in the studio.

Getting some spring skirts ready for the shop.

Sorting through a mountain of vintage linens.

There you have it. I won't see much of my sewing machine this week, as I have a big cookie order to tackle. It's for a Jamaican themed bar mitzvah! How cool is that! 

 

 

 

Day of the Dead. . . a day late.

I've been meaning to share photos from the amazing Dia De Los Muertos event I went to last week, but I was buried in cookie dough. October was my biggest cookie month EVER! I'm really quite amazed with how the business has grown in a year. And I'm thankful. Bills are getting paid, and I can buy Lanky his kibble. The downside is sleep, or lack there of. Last week I averaged 3 hours a night. One night I didn't go to bed at all. Not all weeks are like that. I just so happened that I had a mountain of custom orders, along with Halloween orders. Last night I slept for 8 whole hours. I feel like a new woman.

I decided to take an evening off from work and my friend Elizabeth and I went to the Hollywood Forever Cemetery for the 12th annual Day of the Dead celebration.

There were truly impressive alters on display, some for the famous, and some for beloved family members.

Some were huge and some were small.

They were all beautifully presented. We were there at night, and most of the altars had candles or lights, so it was really magical.

Marilyn was honored,

and Johnny Ramone,

and Keith Haring.

This was one of the coolest altars. It was set up in and around an old truck.

There were lots of arts and crafts vendors, include our friend Kelley Smythe, who makes amazing dolls.

There was also a very impressive art show in the mausoleum.

My photos don't begin to show the whole story of the celebration. There were also musical performances, dancers and food. And LOTS of people dressed up in elaborate costumes.

Can't believe November is here. I have so much to do, so much to share with you. I'll try to fit it in, along with a little more sleep. Thanks for tuning in!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Field trip!

This is where the other half plays. Trump National Golf Club happens to be just up the road from where we--the "other" half-- live (aka, "the hood").

Donald was nice enough to make a lovely trail for us to get down to the ocean. So off we went, Andy, Lanky and I, on a beautiful summer day.

It's a bit of a hike, especially for the out of shape member of the trio, but it was well worth the effort.

We're told that Weimaraners like the water, but so far, Lanky is not very interested.

He prefers to relax and blend in with the sand.

We happened upon this interesting stone formation on our hike.

What a beautiful day it was.

 

 

 

 

 

Field Trip!

Andy and I have been on a quest for some new living room furniture. If you recall this post, we really did need a new couch. And here it is!!

It's actually a little more blue than it shows in the photo, and the fabric is some sort of super micro fiber, which repels doggy drool quite well. I lucked out and found it at HDButtercup in the sale room for a fantastic price. I surprised Andy, and it turns out, he hates it. What's not to like? Of course I wasn't too stoked when he bought two dirt bikes he surprised me with. And I can't watch tv sitting on those. Moving on.

Next up, a lounge chair to replace the large worn out chair that matched the ugly couch. So we were off to Mid Century LA. It's an amazing warehouse in North Hollywood, packed floor to ceiling with treasures from the 50s and 60s. It took some toiling but we finally agreed on this leather beauty. I think it looks great with the new sofa. It's growing on Andy. 

We also discovered this lovely little end table that we thought would work perfectly as a phone/hall table.

We've been on a mission to declutter and spruce up our home. This piece fits the bill with its three wide drawers. So no piling stuff on top! There I said it. 

We did not bring home a set of these beautiful dining room chairs, or this very cool chandelier.

Some other time, or year. We now have to pay a small fortune to repair our heater that just went out. And we're freezing here in 50 degree weather! No comment from you sub zero dwellers. My feet are cold. 

On another note, what do you do with old furniture? Naturally, we thought we would donate it to Goodwill. Turns out they have standards. Andy shoved the big ugly chair in the van and hauled it off to give away. They told him that they didn't take furniture that was so worn! I actually felt pretty good that we had been so frugal and got a lot of years out of that furniture. 

 

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's day to my dear old dad, and my dear husband, father of our sweet Emmet. And all the dads out there for that matter!

This photo was taken the day of Emmet's Culmination of eighth grade (not called graduation in these parts. I think mine was called Promotion. . . anywho. . .). One of the things I love most about Andy, is how much he loves being a dad. These two adore each other. And I love them more than they know. 

 

Culmination was chaos. 600 kids in Emmet's class! Sheesh. What were we thinking sending him into that? It's over now, and we are all relieved.

 

This is what he plans to do this summer. Maybe not in a suit. We're all headed to the airport in about an hour. Time to finish packing! 
 
 
 

Friday with Ted

This is Ted. He came to help us with the little bee problem we had in our house.

This is the big f@#$ing hole Ted put in my bedroom wall.

This is the big pile of crap Ted pulled out of the wall. I won't show you the big assed bill he gave me at the end of the day. I need to make more dresses.

Autumn in San Pedro

I've been enjoying seeing pictures, and reading about the lovely fall colors and crisp weather in other parts of the country, especially on Kristen's blog (she's in Massachusetts), and Erin (she's in Maine). These parts are so beautiful, especially in the autumn. I don't think I could live through the winters though. Which brings me to my home of the past 18 years.

I was born in Georgia, left at age 2 for Maryland, and moved to Wyoming at age 10, where my family still lives. I went to college in Colorado and thanks to my dearest Andy, moved to southern California at 22 when we were married. I LOVE IT HERE! 

We've actually been in So. Cal for 22 years. 18 years ago we bought a little bungalow in San Pedro. 11 years later, after having Emmet and starting my business, we bought a bigger home, just up the street, to house the bigger Emmet and the growing business. We may be here for the duration. 

San Pedro is a harbor town (the L.A. Harbor), and it has a real small town feel. Even after living here for nearly two decades, we are not locals. Emmet is; he was born here. We live just a mile or so from the ocean, and I meet my friend Chris for a morning walk on Paseo Del Mar, every now and then. 

I never get over the beauty of the Pacific Ocean, probably because I was landlocked in Wyoming for so long. I tend to think locals don't appreciate it as much as I do, but then again, no one ever leaves San Pedro.