Honey, I'm back

Well, just look at you.  You've barely change a bit.  I was so excited to see some of the blog list that I haven't see for ages.

Love you! I love looking at your posts, beautiful photos, and words of wisdom and joy.

Hope I see you again soon.

xo juls

Happy January

16 Sparrows is a quirky group that has a Letter Writing Alliance membership club of sorts.  I signed up and am looking forward to my membership badge being delivered snail mail.  They offer mail ideas in new and interesting ways.  Go visit.

For a while now I have had a few Pen Pals.  Somehow I came across Pen Pal World on the internet and I have accumulated a few gals to correspond with.  Some girls like snail mail.  Others like email.  You can peruse profiles and find a match to write to.  Cool.

The tactile part of me loves note cards.  I've never taken to scraping and making cards, but I do like stamping envelopes and sending off to far away places.  Pen Pal World is a good fit for me.  One pal I have lives in London, two others live in Australia, and then a couple live here in the US.

Naked envelopes bug me.  There are infinite things to do with an envelope, an empty canvas if you will.
Putting a stamped image and doodling around on the envelope always give it that certain something.  Don't you think?

Go write a note to someone.  Well, maybe closer to February since you probably just spent a fortune on stamps for Christmas Cards.  xo, juls

So and Sew

More uses for those zucchini, these yummy cookies from Food.com, Zucchini Chocolate chip cookies. The recipe makes loads of them.  Give it a go.

I also have some cherry tomatoes coming from the garden that are so sweet. They barely make it to the kitchen.  I love popping them in my mouth when I'm at work in the garden.  




Next I made this runner for my book case.  It is too long and I need to shorten it, but I love the color combo.  

xxoxoxxo, Juls

Prime numbers and Zucchini

Are you experiencing an abundance of zucchini at present?  

 The recipe for Nat's Oven Baked Zucchini Sticks may be of some interest to you, http://www.food.com.  Super easy to make and my husband, a very picky eater, declared them delicious.  The proof?  The spoonful he left me....

On another note, do you ever watch Ted.com, all about ideas worth spreading?  I love Ted.  Truly.  One fine talk I came across directed me to Khan Academy.org.  I am in the throws of relearning algebra, and Khan guided me through steps as easy as one, two, three.  Ted covers so many other wonderful topics on a global format.  Go, see, discover,learn.   xoxoxxo, juls

Renegade Art Faire Los Angeles

After two years of missing this show for various reasons, it so happened I was able to make it this year.  Crowds of hip, cool, tasteful and crisp folks sauntered the aisles of booths that were a visual wonderland of artisans.  I am so at peace having finally been able to take in this show. There was so much jewelry and graphic Tees, but there was a nice mix of other things as well.  Food trucks line up for the hungry shoppers.  I had a delish hot dog and coffee.  

Renegade 2013 L.A,

Thump, thump...is it on?

Could it be a new post from moi?  What a fabulous summer.  Thanks EAB for all of your awesome posts.  It really keeps me going.  They are always lovely.  I am cleaning my office/sewing room.   I am putting all the little stuffed creatures that were on the shelf in a basket.  Why is it so hard to part with whimsy stuff?

 I need a simple look I think...hehehehe, never.  But I did come up with this for the shelves so far.

 Now on to the sewing table....Sword up xoxojuls

Cold and happy

Yikes, is it ever cold.  39 degrees.  Wish there was snow here.  I am struggling with blogger to publish photos.  Blogger has changed and I hate change.  Come along as I blunder through....xo, juls

Simple fun holiday

Here at our home we are having a hard time with the get up and go.  We've had a wonderful holiday filled with family and friends.  Here are the littles dancing.  And my cousin Jennifer won the appetizer cookoff with jalapeno poppers.  She holds the ornament I made as a prize.

The most delicious cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning.  Oh, I could eat the whole pan..I am not kidding.

I've made a few of these dolls for the little girls in the family. 

These two have landed in Germany.  I love making Jess Brown dolls.  And now I am learning fabric roses...so fun. 

Happy New Year to all.

xo, juls

My new treasure, ahhh

After searching what seemed like forever, over hill, over dale, new stores, antique shops, craigslist..I found her. And she is home in my dining room getting stocked up and loved on. My new hutch. I have waited so long to have one. Isn't that odd? Laurie at My Cottage Treasures in Fallbrook, CA repurposes funiture. I thought she did a stunning job.

And that is me, so super excited. Really!

xo, juls

Thank you's

I made these easy thank you cards for my son's 7th birthday party. At the bash we had fake mustaches and everyone got into the spirit. I just used black cardstock and added photos and a small thanks. I hope the people like them.

xo, juls

Finally home

Our family bought a home, our last big home. We plan to retire here, watch our boys graduate, become men here. I get to create a new studio here. It feels good to be home. And now I hope to keep blogging about what a nice place it is....amidst the boxes and clutter. I got this lamp at Salvation today. 14 bucks was sort of alot. But I love it. I bought the lampshade for $5 at big lots. I got a brown velvety sofa for 100. and this cool armoire for 75.

I have designs for that armoire. See all those boxes? Think they will fit in that armoire? Bout to get my creative on. I got these little herb pots at Trader Joes. They smell good and I think they are so cute. xo, juls

Art field trip

My wonderful teacher friend, Annalei, (pictured center)took me to visit her artist friends, Eddie and Carolyn. Carolyn paints. Eddie is a woodcarver. My friend Anneli took me to their exotic home and I relished each piece they showed me. I will share a few pieces with you here. But all I can say is I loved the experience far and above what I can describe for you. It was an honor to meet these truly lovely people. I hope you enjoy.

Isn't this kissing mother endearing?

This is the most magnificent wood carving. Really an inspiring piece. Nice aura.

You are jealous, no? I can hardly impart what a fun time it was..really.

xo, juls

April's Chocolat Mouse

We had a little dinner party on Sunday. Our friends came over and brought their kids. We have two kids. Well, I still brought out my fine china, silver and set a fabulous table. It was so Mingle. Anyway, my darling friend, April, brought dessert. Chocolat Mouse that she made from scratch, mind you. But see these glasses? They belonged to her mother-in-law. Our friends last name is Irelan. You get the picture. These babies tasted as luscious as they look.

xoxox, juls

January Posting

Spring is on the way. I am so happy because that means I might possibly be living in a house we just opened escrow on, and drum rollllllll.......adopting a son. Whew. Yeah. He's pretty amazingly neat.

My older son convinced us to add on. He is a wonderful big brother. I will keep you posted.

Here is a picture I drew. My son's teacher opens her home and teaches a group of us how to use pastels. We have fun and she is very gracious.

My obsession with Jess Brown dolls led me to create my own. I can't pay 200 bucks for a rag doll, not with a good conscience and a sewing machine. So here is mine sitting pool side. She's waiting for hair, makeup and wardrobe. I just love her.

Lastly, I met a pretty interesting gal. Lynn makes upcycled journals from books she picks up from every stinkin where. She's a teacher/writer/world traveler. These are a few journals I picked up from her. If you need one, let me know. The background is a very lush
bedspread I got at a garage sale for 20 bucks.

That is another post....xoxo, juls

Studio Nine Art

Inspiration was on the menu yesterday. Redlands Conservancy party was so cool. Kathy Jo Lorenz was a fun teacher. Here are the pieces we made. Mine is second from the right. Also Kathy Behrens catered the lunch. Plum soup was the starter. D-li-cious I tell you.

Open up

Hi out there,

This beautiful cacti flower was around the corner from my house. I stomped on the brakes of the car, jumped out, and snapped a shot of her. These flowers only last a couple of days. This one will last always..We got a call about a little one. I'm thrilled we are getting calls. I pray every day that HIS will will be done for this child. Not to be self-fish, but I'm stinking excited! xo, juls

5 minute post

Hi blogger,
My new 5-minute post to refresh and motivate. I will try to post something frequently that takes me 5 minutes or less. Maybe I will be able to keep up? Here is a pic of a beach bungaloe near where we stay on vacation. So retro and cute. I want to say thanks to Connie at http://onemoreladybug.blogspot/ She has inspired me to post again. She has helped to give me some hope that I had lost a bit. I have missed you all. And a special shout out to Dawn. I did read that article and then I saw your post. You are amazing....xo, juls

baby shower antics

There is a little one coming to the family via my nephew. I threw a shower for him this weekend. My sweet neices helped me prepare for it. We made chocolate dipped rice crispy treats and they were amazingly easy.

I now have my new go to treat for special days. The cute cake came from the local grocery store, Stater Brothers, and my sister was thrilled. Here is a table shot, though I felt so rushed I wasn't able to stage properly for photos. Busy weekend, but lots of fun.

Robot love

Working on updating my son's bedroom. I painted this robot for him yesterday. I love robots.

There's no need to tell you how I am going to be a better blogger. I even got the new Cannon Rebel. Have not taken a picture yet. Life is just busy. We are about to finish our homestudy. That is a big acomplishment for us. Can't wait to say the completed date for the homestudy.....hurray.

xo, juls

Kinder-running

Yikes. When you don't post, it's hard to post. People stop coming by. You aren't motivated. Oh, well. Still love blogging. I'm still here. I watch all my favorite blogs. Yes, that's you.
My little one went to Kindergarten. I am so busy with the class and PTA. Woa. and we are looking for a new house. And I am working more and more, but that means creating less. I really thought for a minute I was going to do my own booth on Sundays at the farmers market....Soccer came along on Sundays. My little one cries on the field. He needs me. No booth for now. My auntie has cancer. I cook for her sometimes. We go to a cancer support group. That was one reason we moved back here, so we could be with her. I'm glad we are here. Happy Fall everyone...Here are chemo hats I make for auntie,


rugs I've been crocheting, and a photo from the La Fluer Barn sale in Fallbrook, CA. xo, juls