New Forum

Come visit this new creative forum!

I was recently asked to be a designer on this wonderful new creative forum. It's called "More Paper than Shoes". There are lots of designers making fabulous little projects all the time, come over and visit when you get a chance. Here is my project for today.

Have a lovely weekend,

xoxo

cari

Fabulous New Find

Look at all of this yumminess!!

Yesterday I visited this fabulous shop in Huntington Beach, CA. It's called Gramma's Attic. Where have you been all my life??? LOL O.K, so the shop is packed to the rafters with fabulous treasures everywhere. You will literally have to dig through the gorgeousness. I will have to go back at least three more times just to take it all in and by then there will be so much new stuff. Ugh, I guess I'll never be able to take it all in. (I'll just have to keep trying!!) So, I got some vintage Dennison star's, a small pink ruffled glass bowl, and the most luscious black velvet ribbon you'll ever find. (Hoping to have pictures to share soon.) Their prices are super reasonable. Yeah!! Oh ya, and they were voted #1 Antique store in Orange County. whoo hoo!! Why didn't I know about them sooner????

O.K. Enough of my fabulousness commercial, I'm off to the beach with the kiddos!!

xoxo

Cari

Feeling Creative

I've been feeling the urge to create jewelry lately.

These are my latest creations.
I made them with rose quartz faceted beads, shell beads, and czech glass beads. I was inspired by this amazing package I received.

This is what I saw when I opened the box.All of these beautifully packaged handmade silver and pink Marie Antoinette charms. Yummy!!
Once unwrapped this is what I had. Who wouldn't be inspired to create??
So, here it is my stunningly beautiful Marie Antoinette charm bracelet. Thanks to the talented artists who created my charms. Now, I'm not sure anymore who made what but here are some links to all of the talented artists:

Our lovely host: Rhonda Thomas www.Rhondamum.blogspot.com, Laurie Wirth @ http://mermaidtreasuresart.blogspot.com, Holly Moore @ www.paperpiecesofme.blogspot.com, Melanie Hall @ www.artfulinterludes.blogspot.com, Lillian Mederak (no blog), Blanca Medina @ Magic Moon light Studio, and Terri Gordon.

Thank you lovely ladies for such a fun swap.

xoxo

Cari

Second Petite Inspiration Box Swap Reveal

A Happy Mistake!!
By some happy mistake I was put into two swap groups. My first group had been in contact, we'd talked a lot, we'd even sent and received our swaps when I received an email from Heather, our lovely hostess, telling me that my partners hadn't heard from me?????????

Well, all's well that ends well. I was put into two groups and of course agreed, who wouldn't? So, this is what my first partner Jayme sent me. I love the colors.Look at all of the amazing goodies. I love the little tin and all of the brass jewelry components. Yummy!!! I can't wait to start creating. I'm so inspired.
So, my second partner Sharon Jankowicz sent me this amazing package. It's definitely not a matchbox. LOL. I'm sooooooo glad I decided to stay in the second group.
Here's a side view of this intricately detailed wooden cigar box. Sharon hammered the velvet ribbon along the bottom and finished the box off with my initials.
This is a shot of the inside lid of the box. WOW!!
O.K, so this is what I see when I open the box. Hey, there's the Matchbox. ha ha. Sharon does embroidery, to say the least, check out her book on embroidered cards.So, here it is after all of that lovliness, the actual matchbox. Stunning!!! Take a look at all the beauty inside, see the fleur de lyse pin, that was her grandmothers!! Can you believe it?! Rhinestones, ribbon and even french soap.
But wait..... inside the matchbox was a little matchbox (of course there was!!) Look at all of the lovely vintage buttons and french franc. There is even a sterling silver vintage "forget me not" heart charm. I feel like I must have some pretty good kharma. Lol!!

Thank you ladies for such a superb swap. Tomorrow I'll show you the pink and silver charm swap that I did with my Marie Antoinette group.

xoxo

Cari

Petite Inspiration Box Swap Reveal #1

The amazing Heather at speckled-egg hosted another of her fabulous

"Petite Inspiration Box Swaps"

The theme this time was "Paris" yeah, my favorite!!

This sophisticated stunner is from Marsha at sassyminidolls my first partner. She did a fabulous job, so elegant. You should check out her blog.Look at all of the goodies that she packed into that little box. Yummy!!! Can you see the hand stamped ribbon and the rusty old key?

This beauty is from the lovely JoAnne at vintagedragonfly my second partner. So frilly and fabulous. Her blog is filled with just as much loveliness.

She made a lavender sachet that now resides in my pillow so that I sleep wonderfully. I love the little posy bouquet. Well, I really love everything.

But, there's more......

I accidentally got put into two groups (yay!!!!)

So, tomorrow I will show you the goodies I got from my second group.

Hope you all had a safe and patriotic 4th.

xoxo

Cari

Still Going Strong

Happy Anniversary Honey!!

19 Years and still going strong. I am so blessed to be married to my best friend, nobody makes me feel as safe, and nobody on earth makes me laugh more than my hubby.

Thanks for indulging me. I hope everyone is having a fabulous week.

xoxo

Cari

Summer Fun!!

We are busy having fun!!

This month is my month to pick the book in one of the book clubs that I am in. I am always a little nervous about picking the book when it's my turn. I'm always afraid that if I pick my favorite books that they wont like them. But, I did it anyway. This is by far in my top 10 favorite books of all time. The movie was really good too. I know that that is unusual but, it's true!!

Here's what else we've been doing.Monday, it was a little windy and cold. But still super fun. Can't wait for the beach to warm up a bit. Unfortunately when the beach is the perfect temperature it is blazing hot at my house. Oh well, that's just part of summer.
Oh yeah, and don't think I'm too crazy, I've started making Christmas cookie dough and freezing it. I know, I know, but it's the only way I can get everything done on time.

Hope you all are having a wonderfully fun and relaxing summer too.

xoxo

Cari

Pretty In Pink

I'm feeling Pink again!! I recently made a bunch of Pink and Silver charms for a swap that I am in.

I don't usually use silver metal because I always used Sterling and I got tired of polishing it.

I do love the way it looks though. These were so fun to make, I can't wait to see the charms I receive and assemble my charm bracelet. I might just be hooked (again!!) That does seem to happen to me quite a bit. LOL
While I was feeling pink I made these little cuties too. I have to admit, I do love all colors, I even love bright primary colors and everything. But, I keep coming back to pastel pink, I can't help myself. I even read once that I like pastels because of my Zodiac sign. Well, who knows!? I'll just keep making what makes me happy.

Have a lovely Fathers' Day tomorrow, in case I don't make it back.

xoxo

Cari

I found my camera charger!! Yay!!

So, here's a peek at what I made for my very first press kit.

It's for an "ocean" themed event. I must say I was quite nervous putting my little kits together. Does anyone else get nervous when they are sending their creations out into the world? Maybe it's just me. I made these tiny flowers with pearls for the kits too.

These were fun so, I made extras for my shop.

I will show you pictures of the "Petite Inspiration Boxes" that I received soon.

Have a wonderful day

xoxo

Cari