Friday, August 31, 2012

Australia! My heart longs for thee :)


 
 
Wow! Can't believe it's been over 10 years since I fell in love with Australia! It all started with "Survivor: The Australian Outback"... and my obsession has only grown over the years :) 

Survivor: The Australian Outback (also called Survivor: Australia in later seasons) is the second season of the United States reality show Survivor. Filming took place at Goshen Station in northern Queensland during 2000 and aired from January 28, 2001 to May 3, 2001 on CBS. The location used was within a three hour drive of the coastal city of Cairns and located in a wet, tropical area.

 
Australian paper currency is gorgeous!!!   I know this because I was compelled to buy some from a very friendly tourist who came into the store I was managing (way back when!)  Had those three bills pinned to my bulletin board for inspiration... we WILL visit one day soon!

 
This post just came about as I glanced over recent blog views from foreign countries... I was tickled pink to see that we have viewers in Perth, AU!  Our one-of-a-kind creations have shipped to clients worldwide... but to realize that we also have readers in far off lands (Australia!!!!) is the icing on the cake!  Thanks so much! 
 
 
Today, an extra special "hello" to our friends in Perth, AU!   How blessed you are to live in a place my heart longs to visit... sending you positive energy!  Bet you can feel it :)

Monday, August 27, 2012

our favorite time of year...

Back to school... leaves starting to turn colors... crispness in the air... the excitement of the holidays!


I've heard that one always loves the time of year in which they were born.   Maybe that's why I'm ready to put the fall wreath outside our door?    Then I'll bring out the Halloween decorations... which leads to Thanksgiving decorations ... which then leads to Christmas and New Years!!! 

I love this time of year!

The richness of coppers have become a neutral... wear them with anything... enjoy!

Saturday, August 25, 2012

1988 Lunch At The Ritz Earrings - Down On The Farm

Look what we just unpacked! 
 


 
 
Purchased these earrings in the late 1980s... I immediately fell in love with the farm theme!! 
LOL!  Even then, I knew I was a "country gal"! 
Who knew they were rare collectibles? 
It's the little things... :)


Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Los Hooligans - Despeinada

A childhood friend sent me this video about a week ago and it's brought me so much happiness! 

Not sure why, exactly, but it is soooo addicting?  This video is from the 60s and is in Spanish!  It took me awhile to figure out what they were saying (something about a gal looking "hot" except for her crazy/ messy hair... LOL!) 

I love these guys and their awesome moves! 


Help! When I find something I love, I have no restraint... here it is... hope you enjoy it, too! :)

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Renaissance Rags... memories...

Wow! Just unpacked some oldies but goodies... Renaissance Rags!!




Back in 1995, we would spend our days searching for vintage laces and trims to bring new life to the old.  We also upcycled vintage evening bags... created jeweled handles for them using natural stones... many transitioned into necklaces with lobster claw closures :)

So many Texas creations were sold back then... wish I had thought to photograph our "babies" beforehand.  We live and learn, right?  Each piece will now get time in the photo studio before it leaves us for its new home!

Looking back and reliving our creative history, it's no wonder Dave and I seem to tackle many new avenues... chandeliers, furniture and cupcakes!  Who knows what lies ahead for us... as long as we can create one-of-a-kind beauties... our souls sing! 


"You are here to create. You are here to create your world any way you want. Even after this life you are still creating. You are creating for all eternity."


Now go out and play... bet you have something to manifest right this minute... it's the little things...  :) 


 

vintage San Antonino fine handmade Mexican embroidered dress

Original San Antonino work of art,
"Make me if you can..."
"Hazme si puedes, si no dejame para las mujeres"


Do you remember how popular these dresses were in the 80s? 




If you lived in South Texas, you owned one or two and probably had no idea of the wonderful history to these wearable art pieces!





Just unpacked my two beauties and did some research... amazing!  Here's a bit of info I uncovered... enjoy!

"The San Antonino dress (also known as the Mexican or Oaxacan Wedding Dress) is characterized by the delicacy of embroidery, as well as the preservation of traditional forms and motifs. Fine silk and cotton thread is used to achieve brilliant and precise floral motifs on cotton fabric. The reward for the patience and attention to the tiny details that the embroiderer creates is a world of diminutive hand-holding people on the smocking, and the picturesque birds and delicate flowers of different types that adorn the neckline, sleeves and yoke.

Before beginning any of the embroidery, however, the pieces that form the dress must first be cut out and the decorative motifs drawn on. Then the fine pepenado work begins, involving forming tiny, even folds, that are held in place with diminutive stitches to form perfect pleats. This work requires much patience and skill, as both the front and the back of the smocking must be perfect as it will become the background for the small, romantic, hand-holding figures.

Then begins the technique known as hazme si puedes, so named for the great complexity of work, representing a true challenge for the eyes and the hands. The sleeves as well as the yoke are embroidered with delicate designs, harmoniously combined, with great care as to quality. When finished, the garment is assembled--some areas with delicate lacework--and a large embroidered floral spray is embroidered vertically down the front of the dress. The whole process, from beginning to end, can often take several months to complete."

Neat stuff, huh?  :)

Friday, August 10, 2012

Thanksgiving Grace 1942...



Doing some major creative work... reworking two vintage chandeliers... giving them that "mendlbarr" touch :)

Amidst the hard work and play, we have started taking a good look at what just sits around collecting dust... decided to start pondering our Thanksgiving table and the wonderful spread we traditionally prepare.  Do we really need so many extra pieces of china and crystal?   Nope... time to give to the universe.  We just listed our treasures for others to enjoy...

Get ready for Thanksgiving!  It will be here before you know it... LOL! :)

Thursday, August 9, 2012

caribbean waters & a tequila sunrise... just fun, fun, fun!

Excited that my collection made it to front page!!! Woohoo!!!


Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Thank goodness for lean times... our home is becoming more spacious :)



Amazing what happens when you have extra time to organize and empty closets.



We managed to get thru more boxes of treasures... besides coming across some great old pictures, we stumbled upon more designer clothing & artwork just eager to go to new homes!  My buttery soft, purple leather pants just shipped out... feels good knowing they will be enjoyed instead of sitting in a box for another decade or so!



Not sure why I held on to sooooo much for sooooo long... guess I'm a sentimental kinda gal?

Life as an actress/ creative designer has its lean times but I'm thankful that our home is full of love and that we keep finding treasures to give back to the universe... people are enjoying rare vintage items and we get a little money in our pockets... yes, it's the little things! LOL! :)