Spellbound

Here is a brief overview of Spellbound that I attended last November, I have had several request to show more info and pics on the event. 

 

Some of my friends wanted me to post more about Spellbound that I attended in November of last year. It was hosted by Debbie Murray & her daughter, Shea Fragos, the mother/daughter design team behind the Gilded Life. They are know for their exquisite art events and retreats. 

Spellbound was an incredible, long weekend event in Pasadena, California at the historic Langham Hotel.  It is an amazing art retreat with some of the countries most talented artist teaching classes. 

The opening dinner, under that gilded ceiling and massive chandelier we were given a handmade velvet and organza flower to wear, a stunning hand made bag full of crafting supplies and tools and books and goodies that would be overwhelming to any of us.

It was a huge moment for me meeting Kristen Robinson and taking her classes. I had taken an online class from her a year before.  She is a fabulous teacher and a beautiful soul. She is so generous sharing her skills and wanting everyone in her classes to create a finished product. 

 JoAnnA Pierotti class offered a new technique in soldering and gave me confidence to make jewelry again that needed to be soldered. 

Debrina Pratt, has been an artist that I adored her minature works of art, had purchased some of it in the past and tried my own hand at this. She opened up many new ideas on how to do this.

As you can see it was a wonderful event, but its a new year and new events to attend...so time to move one!

Tongue in Cheek Winner

Amazingly I have been chosen to stay 7 days with Corey Amaro, the author of Tongue in Cheek blog  in France.  I guess actually being chosen never entered my mind.  I entered thinking what a wonderful opportunity to stay with Corey and to have the opportunity to go to the brocante and to see the countryside. Corey is just a beautiful person and I loved meeting her and talking with her in California last November at the Spellbound event where she was the speaker.  I am truly thrilled. 

When I entered the contest, I said husband...Will you go with me if I win? Of course, he replies!

This morning I said to husband, I won the visit to France. Will you still go? Of course he said, When are we leaving?

I better check my passport to make sure it is up to date!

Weekend

This weekend was a catch up time for me. Payed some bills, organized files, made Valentines and even made a neat spoon necklace. The spoon is an old baby's spoon, tarnished which gives it character, and filled with my  piece of jewelry and words, then covered with the resin. I really love how it came out.

Today was a beautiful day, warm, sun shining ....wait, is it really January? It was too nice to sit in the house and not enjoy the outdoors. I painted a chair with its first 2 coats of Annie Sloan paint, clean out the flower beds and cleaned the patio. This is how the patio looks in the spring when everything is green. I love spending time out there.

Today is my Birthday

Today is my birthday. Number 55 to be exact. Wow! I don't feel that old. Where did all the years go?
I started out the day going to court to evict a renter that was 7 months behind in rent. Ridiculous. Judge ruled him out and funds to be paid. I'm sure he won't pay and we will have to go to court again.

Then I went to a closing where I had the opportunity to sell the home of a wonderful young couple that it was so nice to help. I love my job.

Then I took the afternoon off, came home  and crafted. Just what I love to do. I made some cards and a couple necklaces. It was a good day.

My sweet kids curled up in their bed in my hobby room and just watched me work. Dinner in the eve with my husband, my daughter and son-n-law at the local Italian resturant

Life is good.

Waiting for his Daddy

Chopin is definitely a Daddy's Boy. He knows what time his Daddy arrives home in the eve from work. Absolutely adorable.

La Petite Ballet

Spellbound Classes continue....
La Petitle Ballet class was taught by Debrina Pratte. I had purchased some of her work years earlier that I had found online and was thrilled to see she was going to be teaching and meeting her in person was such a treat. This class was taking an ordinary wood block and transforming it into an extroidinary showpiece. See Below...

Its amazing that I had such an opportunity to attend Spellbound in Pasadena, California in early November. The friendships shared with other women that love creating, sharing their passion, and new adventures makes the trip so much more cherished.

Going to French General and meeting Kaari Meng was such a treat. Being an Anthropologie lover, she designed much of their jewelry for years.. She took her experience in all facets of jewelry manufacturing, she began teaching jewelry making out of her shop, French General. In 2003, French General moved to Los Angeles, where it continues to offer workshops and creative kits to people who enjoy working with vintage materials.

Jo Packham, is the powerhouse behind theWhere Women Create magazines, The Creative Connection Event and more, but underneath all that success is a woman who simply sees potential and possibility inside inspired ideas. 
and the creators of the event...

Debbie Murray and Shea Fragoso are the mother/daughter design team behind A Gilded Life, and they have been working together in creative ways for over fifteen years! The pair is also actively involved in luxurious Art Retreat production, having planned and hosted numerous successful events at their converted 100 year old church in Dallas, Texas. This is where it all began for me, two years before at Dallas.

More to come...

Weight Watchers Broccoli and Cheddar Quiche

2013 hopefully will include healthy eating. A good start is getting serious with my Weight Watcher membership.  

WEIGHT WATCHERS

6PointsPlusValue 

Broccoli and Cheddar Quiche

Ingredients

	6 oz pie crust, 9-inch, refrigerated
	2 tsp olive oil
	1/2 cup(s) (sliced) uncooked red onion(s), chopped
	1 1/4 cup(s) part-skim ricotta cheese
	1 cup(s) low-fat, shredded Cheddar cheese
	1 large egg(s)
	2 large egg white(s)
	1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
	1 tsp dried oregano
	1/2 tsp table salt, or more to taste
	1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground, or more to taste
	10 oz frozen chopped broccoli, thawed and well-drained
	1 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375ºF. Press pie crust into bottom and up sides of a 9-inch, removable-bottom tart pan or a 9-inch pie pan; refrigerate until ready to use.
• To make filling, heat oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until soft, about 3 minutes. Transfer onion to a large bowl and add ricotta cheese, cheddar cheese, egg, egg whites, mustard, oregano, salt and pepper; mix well and fold in broccoli. Spoon mixture into prepared crust and level surface with a wooden spoon; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
• Bake until a knife inserted near center comes out clean, about 35 to 40 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing into 8 pieces. Yields 1 piece per serving.

Notes

• Not a broccoli fan? Substitute spinach in its place.

What Would Iris Do?

for those of you who haven't met this icon of fashion, wit and common sense, 

here is a link to a recent interview with her. 

i think it speaks volumes to her character. 

http://intothegloss.com/2012/01/iris-apfel/

Iris is what I want to be...just like her. Never quit living and you are never too old!

2013 will be My Year

Life is precious. I spent the last 10 months of 2012 caring for my Father, watching his depression over his life being over. He had things left to do. Things he hadn't taken care of. This was not in his plans.
Sometimes we make plans and life takes over.

I married my husband six years ago. We lived a 4 hour drive to each of our homes. I told him I couldn't move away because I had to take care of my Dad. I was the one he could count on. So...we married and he moved to my hometown.

I was right. My Dad needed me and needed someone he could count on to take care of things for him. And I was blessed with a wonderful man that helped me every step of the way.

I'll be 55 years old this month. So I have vowed to make 2013 my best year.  Grateful for each day we are given. Living life to its fullest. Getting rid of any anger. With anger you can not be grateful. It can no longer be about me.  Its really aout giving thanks, and when you are giving thanks, you disappear and when you disappear, I belive you reconnect to the divine.

I am thankful and grateful for all of you. Happy New Years. Cherish each day you are given.