Ahhhhh, Venice

Venice was one of the highlights of our trip.  The bascillca was so beautiful inside, I wish we could have taken pictures of the floor to soaring ceiling mosaics.

On our way to Murano to see some glass.

 View from the hotel's rooftop terrace

 The gondola ride was a favorite...

 Grand Canal

 More Grand Canal

I LOVED the glass!

I want at least one of these...

Venetian masks adorned many, many shops - they were so elaborate. 

Italy Treasures & Unexpected Finds

Things felt more special in Italy - the colorful stick adorned our gelato one day.  The smaller stick came in a drink - if you look closely, threads are woven between beads.  After all, it's the little things....

My diploma from The Food & Wine Academy of Florence. Such a special day.  Now, to whip up some pasta...

I couldn't resist these butterfly earrings - I think I can recreate them.

Murano Glass - I had to get a necklace and earrings and the ornament to adorn my Christmas tree this year.

Street vendors were everywhere making these necklaces.  They even had intricate wire guitars that they personalized - one is now in my guitar loving nephew's bedroom.

I had to get this silk tie for my dad, the airplane lover.

Doodles

My VERY talented graphic artist friend who stayed at my house while I was gone left these behind for me.  Thanks E!  I've never seen a rock look so lovely.

I had to have this olive wood ladle - it even smells like olives!  Luggage space was limited so I brought back very small things like this 3" diameter olive dish - the quality is fabulous!  I have painted olives on a plate before so I can truly appreciate the painter's skill on this bowl.

Bandanna Bonanza!

So cute and so simple!  The bandannas are adhered to the table with fusible web - just heat it up with an iron and you're 'set'.  Since this is from the Aleene's Craft Club archives, the Aleene's Hot Stitch Fusible Web and Aleene's Acrylics are no longer available - just substitute a fusible web and a good quality acrylic paint.

Make Your Own Baby Keepsake

Here's the perfect box for a baby shower gift or as a handy place to keep all those little mementos...

From the Aleene's Craft Club archives.

Happy 4th of July!!!!

Summer Time Flip Flops

Here's a little trip down Memory Lane from the good ol' days of Aleene's Craft Club.  Enjoy!

Butterfly Sandollar

Check it out - just when I said I was going to 'cut back' on butterfly things, look what I found on the beach!!!  Is it a sign????  Wonder what I can creative with it...

Kalanchoe 'Pink Butterflies' Succulent

A friend and I recently attended a succulent show in San Luis Obispo, CA and I fell in love with this amazing plant.  I loved the look, decided to purchase it and then looked at the name.  What are the chances???  It's called Kalanchoe 'Pink Butterflies'. The Butterfly Girl has struck again!  I swear I'm cutting back on butterfly things...

Great thing about this plant is, I can make more plants just by placing one of the leaves in some soil.  Can't wait to share with friends!

Creating a Monarch Waystation

In case you hadn't noticed, I LOVE butterflies.  I can trace my fascination back as far as a drawing assignment in college. The assignment was to draw a self portrait and add something to it that represented me.  I remember kind of fighting the assignment because I didn't want to 'foul-up' my self portrait by adding something. I don't remember consciously picking a butterfly but none-the-less there it was. Well, these many, many years later, beautiful butterflies are very much present in my life.  So, when I recently saw an article about creating a Monarch waystation, I immediately ordered the kit filled with seeds to grow different milkweeds, sages, Mexican Sunflower, etc., etc.  The website where I purchased the kit www.MonarchWatch.org has so much information about Monarchs.  I can even certify my Monarch waystation but until then, pardon me while I go find the perfect place to plant my seeds.

Joan

Butterfly Shoes

These shoes are dreamy!!!  My ankle wouldn't stand for the heels, but I'm determined to make a similar (more sensible for me) pair using Aleene's Instant Decoupage but first I must find the shoes and butterfly napkins or wrapping paper.  Stay tuned...BTW - check out the price for the shoes...

2012 Costco International Photo Contest

It's almost here again - the 2012 Costco International Photo Contest and I can't wait to find that perfect photo to enter.  All entries must be postmarked by September 30, 2012. 

Butterfly Party & Celebration of Our Lives

I gathered some very dear friends last weekend for what was called a Celebration of Our Lives...I kind of kidnapped them or said a little more nicely, took them on a Mystery Trip for the day.

We started with lunch at my house, went to Heidi Borchers' studio to make a lovely mosaic creation, then on to a full-on high tea, back to my place to kick back, paint our fingernails with magnetic nail polish and a little slumber party.

If you're looking for butterfly party ideas or just ideas for a girls' getaway weekend scroll on down for some ideas to make your girls feel extra special.

Thanks to my friends who joined in the fun (to those who couldn't make it, well, ya missed a great time), to the special friend who loaned me her fabulous home for the tea, to Heidi Borchers who made mosaics marvelous to Barbara Jo and Mick for giving us a proper high tea to Denise, you're always magnetic - thank you, thank you, thank you dear friends, one and all!

Joan

Butterfly Pasta!

Who knew?  Certainly not me...Denise brought me some Butterfly Pasta from World Market!!!  I told her I'd have to use the same tablecloth I had on my table for the party since it matched the pasta!  Love it, Denise!

Butterfly Party Activities

I took the ladies on a kind of mystery day of celebrating.  We went to Heidi Borchers' studio and had a great afternoon of mosaic making.

Even Aleene and Tiffany Windsor showed up to say 'hi!'

 Here's my heart before the grout.

 Working....working...working...

 Taaaadaaaa...

 After I got home, I just had to add some swirls with a permanent pen.  I hung my mosaic on a quilt I have hanging on the wall.















After we were done with our mosaic projects, we journeyed to a dear friends house for a proper English tea prepared by another dear friend and her significant other. My friend's WONDERFUL home overlooks the bay and everywhere you look it is adorned with her amazing watercolor creations.  We all loved checking out her 900 square foot studio.  We had tons of little sandwiches, sausage rolls, sweets and lovely teas. 

 More edible butterflies

After the tea, some of the ladies went back to my house for a slumber party.  Denise owns a beauty shop and brought along the latest in nail polish - it was magnetic and so cool.  She brushed it on and while it was still wet placed a special magnet over the paint that made a design.  She said she could actually see it move.

Butterfly Party Decorations

Even a plant needs a little party umph!

Decorations really set the tone for a party so butterflies were EVERYWHERE at my house and at the tea.

Start your decorating before your guest even make it in the front door!

I hung butterfly streamers from the lamps in my staircase.  And, wrapped butterfly ribbon around the banister.

I applied stickers to some heavy paper, cut them out, punched two holes at the center and ran wire through them.  I twisted the wire in loops for a 'flying' effect.

I put stickers on the hanging lanterns.  I didn't press them on real hard so I can take them off and use them for other theme parties.

I got this cute hanging decoration at Oriental Trading Company along with butterfly suckers, tattoos, fans, etc., etc.  Cheap too!

I even 'dressed-up' my boot with some butterfly ribbon.

The table...

You can wet the edible butterflies a little with water and they adhere to a glass...just lovely.