..the Bella Retreat beat that is! I'm settling back into home and deadline life again....but with a silver lined cloud of inspiration over my head...still! And will be for quite a while. I have such a bank of inspiration and that's one of the bestest ever parts of attending a Retreat. It's so great!!!!!!!! 
Wanted to share a few more things...
This vintage equestrian ribbon was embellished in bella fashion by Kimla Cotropia, She wasn't able to attend at the last minute, but she sent these to each of the instrructors. Such a lovely box to open....and after a very stressful (but happy) day I was sat there and felt my eyes fill with tears over her thoughtfulness. I sure hope I get you meet you someday, Kimla.
Thank you so much for these ribbons. We all loved them. I'd love to hang it in my studio with an old frame around it!
More lovelies....jewelry style. See that bracelet? Pam gifted me with that over dinner Thursday. I knew I liked that girl!!! The vintage bracelet was made my Amy Hanna. Pam has written about Amy on her blog before, but photos just don't do either of these pieces justice. I love them!
Kelly Jacobs made several vintage recontructed pieces and brought them to show and open critique dialogue. I bought the necklace from her. Come on...it was my color...I had to! It's so prettiful! I'm wearing it today even.
And Kelly if you are out there reading this...several people have asked me if you have a website! She doesn't....but I'm just saying....she should. Seriously!
These next few things are what I have left after the Boutique.
I've made these Advent Calendars for a couple years now. I complain about them every year, too. They are so much work to put together, but the end result always proves to be worth it! I still love looking at them.
You hide the letters on the back and bring out one each day through Advent season. I had 8 of them at the Boutique, and folks must have switched colors/numbers around because this one came home with a few pink numbers on it! The 2 and the 22, Well, I fixed it all and added great silver pieces with 2 and 22 on them....and now all of the colors match.
This Advent Calendar is available for $42. plus s/h.
*SOLD*
If it doesn't sell, I thought I'd give it to a cute little second grade class I know because the children always love these calendars!
(my spacing and margins are all wonky.....Typepad....what's up? Anyway keep scolling down...)
I made several Everyday Party Hats for the Boutique. Here are the 4 that I have left. I love mine so much. I keep mine on a small cake stand in my studio.
Each hat reads "Every day is a day to celebrate" ... because it is! Not just the big days like Birthdays and holidays, but everyday. It also serves as a pretty reminder to take time to celebrate myself now and then and especially to celebrate others.
They are hand painted, one of a kind, and partially paper covered, some are polka dotted, highlighted with German vintage glass glitter (that ages as beautifully as we do), floofy poofy toppers, and a big satin bow for tying. They are the really thick heavy paper mache and I haven't been able to find any more ....which is killing me!
These hats are $32 plus s/h.
Please email me if you are interested in purchasing The Advent Calendar or an Everyday Party Hat...and specify 1,2, 3 or 4.
Party Hat #1 (above) SOLD
Party Hat #2 (above)
Party Hat #3 (above) SOLD
Party Hat #4 (above) SOLD
Okay that's the sharing for today! I have 3-4 of the Christmas Card Stashaway Kits and The Crown of the Town Kits left. You can see the details on them on the post below. Lots to mail out today and lunching with my Bella pal, Becky, today. :)
