Beautiful Blogging

Welcome to the PARTY!!!

Come join me on the patio for refreshments…

I’ve saved a place just for you!

I thought we’d chat about blogging over

Chocolate Cherry Cake with a cup of Friendship Tea…

Do you love blogging as much as I do? I can’t believe how I’ve taken to blogging like a duck takes to water! I would never have imagined this adventurous path my blog has taken me on when I first staring blogging just 15 short months ago. And my biggest thrill to date is having an article published in the newest edition of Artful Blogging, which is what gave me the inspiration to host our party today!

When I first started my blog, I thought it would be merely an extension of my website. I planned to use it only to update my customers about new products and let them know about sales.

But my blog turned into so much more!!! Because of my blog, I’ve been published in numerous magazines, discovered new crafts, I am filled to overflowing with artistic inspiration, I’ve rekindled my lost passion for photography and I’ve met the most amazing creative souls all around the world whom I now call friends.




I find it funny that in my real life, my family and friends don’t always understand or get what I do. But in the blogging community, there is an instant connection of understanding. My blog friends get me. And through these friendships, I am encouraged, inspired and even appreciated in a way that differs from my real life. I am sure that most bloggers will understand this! My blog friends are located all around the world and through email, we are as close as neighbors….how cool is that?





Through my blog, I am inspired on a daily basis by the amazing talents of other blogger’s and also with the creative connections that can be made with the mere click of a button. And that’s why I love blogging!

Now it’s time to spread the love around and go visit one another! As you travel around the world today, please introduce yourself and leave comments for each other. I am sure you will enjoy meeting new bloggers and seeing a common thread of connection and appreciation throughout this community. Go forth and inspire!

BEAUTIFUL BLOGS TO VISIT!

Oatmeal and Whimsy

Let Them East Cupcakes

Whimsy Dreams Studio

Everything Vintage

My Romantic Home

Greetings From Geralyn

Tales From An OC Cottage

Time Worn Style

Gabriela Delworth

Fabric Paper Thread

Avidly Dreaming

Fashion Is My Muse

The Victorian Parlor

Anything Goes Here

Bella Dreams

The Wrought Iron Gate

Whim & Fancy Designs

The Polka Dot Barn

1st Floor Flat

From Our Front Porch Looking In

Charli And Me

Life In The Slow Lane

Happy To Design

Muktowne Craft Room

A Scrapbook of Inspiration

Seasons For All At Home

The Tea Room

Saucy's Sprinkles

Na-Da Farm Life With Anne Marie

A Scrap Mom's Musings

Vintage Rose Designs

Stacy's Shabby Shoppe

Charlotte's Weblog

The Spanish Dahlia

Dusty Pages

Leafdays

Loveleigh Treasures

Enchanted By Josephine

Smiling Sally

Fete et Fleur

Backyard Neighbor

Sweet Nothings

Shabby Chic Junk

Hazelruthes's

Mathews Memory Lane

My Creative World

My Thoughts My Voice

Lisa's Chaos

Hydrangea Home

Remnants

The Gathering Nest

Cottage Charm & Family Inspiration

Oak Rise Cottage

A Vintage White

Pam Warden Art

My Petite Maison

E14 Studio

Herbgirl

A Southern Rose

That Shabby Pink Girl

MSArtist's Mixed Media Playground

Luxe Lanai

Creative Art & Craft by Alison Gibbs

Creative Whispers

Gorgeous and Fun

Artful Interludes

Dragonfly Dreamer Designs

Stamping From The Heart

Posted From Home

Artsy - Fartsy

Almost Party Time!

It’s almost time to gather for the Beautiful Blogging Party this Friday, May 1st. So far, there are about 70 blogs that have signed up to participate and I am sure we’ll have a wonderful event! There’s still time to sign-up, just click HERE for information and leave a RSVP comment for me. I’ll look forward to seeing everyone on Friday!!!

A Royal Necklace

Custom orders are really fun for me because I enjoy meeting new people and putting our heads together to create something special. Ms. Lucy was one such special lady I recently had the pleasure to meet.

She found my blog through my recent Celebrating Marie Antoinette event and she loved my new Versailles charm necklace. As passionate as I am about Marie Antoinette, Lucy is passionate about Josephine and requested a “Josephine Charm Necklace” And here it is!

Lucy and I went back and forth via email over which images to use for her special necklace. For this design, all the charms are double-sided so it’s actually like getting two necklaces for the price of one! I designed the necklace with the darker portraits on one side and the lighter colored portraits on the reverse side. This beautiful necklace should match any outfit in her closet!

It’s hard to photograph the sparkle of this pretty necklace and I can just image Ms. Lucy wearing her new jewels. I really enjoy wearing my Marie Antoinette version and I always receive comments on it, even from strangers, every time I wear it. I am sure that Ms. Lucy will enjoy the same benefits with her necklace. She gets to wear jewelry about a subject she is passionate about and she’ll get to spread the word about Josephine from all the questions her sparkles are sure to attract!

If you have a passion for Josephine, or any other royal figure from history, send me an email and let’s chat!

Enjoy your special necklace Ms. Lucy!!!

Make Mothers Day Personal This Year!

Mothers Day gifts can be tricky. You want to find something she will enjoy, something she will use, but you want it to be personal so she knows you care.

Whether you are shopping for your own mom or you are the mom shopping for yourself, jewelry is always an appropriate gift! May I suggest my handcrafted and personalized “Blessed” necklace? Personalized gifts are always so thoughtful and I think most any mom would adore this necklace. The silver soldered pendant front features an image of a swaddled baby amid beautiful blooming roses. This precious image is from a vintage postcard and the roses are touched with just a hint of glitter for a little extra sparkle.

The back of the pendant can be personalized with the names of children (or a personal message, if you’d rather). The bottom of the pendant also features Swarovski Birthstone Crystals to represent each childs birth month. What a lovely way to wear your blessings around your neck!

There is still time to order for guaranteed delivery by Mothers Day! All orders received by Sunday, April 26th will arrive in time for the big day. Click HERE to visit my website and place your order online.

And once you have this jewelry in hand, you’ll want to wrap this treasure in a beautiful way that is sure to bring a smile to your moms face…..

Go HERE right now to signup for the Mothers Day Gift Wrapping Class being conducted online this weekend by the super talented Gabriela Delworth.

I hope that between Gabriela and myself, we are helping you solve your Mothers Day gift giving dilemmas and I hope that this year finds you with a heart filled with love for your own very special mother.

Make A Difference With Your Jewelry Purchase!

Recently, Stampington contacted me with a request that I could not turn down. My original submission, the Marie Antoinette Charm Bracelet, that was selected for the “Marie” magazine is now available for purchase in Stampington’s new Artists Emporium! This is a brand new shoppe where you can purchase art directly from the pages of Stampington’s magazines! But the difference is that a portion of your purchase price goes directly towards charity.

Here’s your chance to own my actual bracelet that was photographed and is featured in the new Marie magazine publication, which is on newsstands now!!! There was only one bracelet created and you could be the new owner of my gorgeous bracelet that appears world wide in the Marie Magazine!

Your Wrist Could Be Here!!!

This one-of-a-kind bracelet was created specifically for this special edition magazine. When you purchase my bracelet through Stampington, a portion of your purchase price will be donated to charity. You’ll have your selection between Locks of Love, Best Friends, World Vision and Life Through Art Foundation. The bracelet created for the Marie Magazine is a little different than the Marie Antoinette Charm Bracelet I offer on my website. The one-of-a-kind bracelet for Stampington was created on a beautiful vintage, double link charm bracelet and also has a silver Fleur-de-lis charm included. There is only one available, so click HERE to be the first to nab it!!!

And until May 1st, any purchase made for Marie Antoinette Jewelry through my website, a 20% portion of all proceeds will be donated directly to the restoration fund at Chateau Versailles for projects in Marie Antoinette’s name. This is a wonderful way to continue my Marie Celebration with good works and good donations in her memory. Happy Shopping!!!

Artful Blogging - Summer 2009 Issue…and a Blog Party!!!

OK Peeps…. here’s a little secret slipping out of my sparkling pocketbook just for you…. my baby, Cupids Charm is being featured in the Summer issue of Artful Blogging magazine!

I’ve been biting my tongue about this since last Christmas and now that the magazine is almost on newsstands, I am cutting loose and flapping my gums about it : ) The lovely editors at Stampington requested numerous photos from my blog and also asked me to write the article that goes along with my feature.

So far, I know of two other dear blog friends that will be featured in this issue too…. Gabriela Delworth and also Sara Duckett, from Sadie Olive. Word on the street is that this issue is the best yet and as always, Stampington is packing this issue with lots of gorgeous photos and creativity is oozing from the pages. Click HERE to order a copy for your very own self, directly from Stampington.

Artful Blogging will be on newsstands May 1, so I thought this would be the perfect day to celebrate and have a BLOG PARTY where everyone can participate!!!

Why do you like to blog? Since blogging has come to mean so much to me as an outlet for creativity, I thought I would host a party where everyone can share their insights, inspirations and reasons for blogging…. tell the world what it is you like about blogging!

On Friday, May 1st, I’ll do a post on my blog with a link to everyone who is participating. All you need to do is have a post on your blog by Friday, May 1, in which the subject is about "Why I Love Blogging". I think this will be a really fun party and a great way to visit new blogs and share our reasons for blogging.

Ready to join the party? Please confirm by leaving a comment on this post that lets me know to add your name to my list, by Wednesday, April 29th. And if you would be so kind, please feel free to blog about this party and include the Button Graphic I made for you to use, on your own blogs - this way, others can join the party too! I look forward to seeing you at the PARTY!!!

Let’s Share A Coffee Break…

Come join me for a cup of my favorite Godiva Crème Brulee coffee and a bit of homemade spice bread…

My parents already left for their trip back home to Virginia, but in my mothers wake, she left our freezer stocked with loaves of homemade banana and spice bread. These yummy goodies will be enjoyed for some time to come.

Today also happens to be my birthday (YIPEE!!!) so I decided to treat myself to a spa day, at home. My treatments have already included a facial, mani & pedi, and a few new highlights painted in my hair. Mr. Cupid is taking me to a favorite Mexican restaurant where I will enjoy a Birthday Margarita (or two!) and that will be the perfect ending to my special day!

I also wanted to share with you a gorgeous gift I received in the mail from my dear blog friend, Gabriela Delworth. First I had to open this beautiful hand painted box….

Inside was this incredible handmade sparkling French themed Medallion on a vintage ribbon. Is this not gorgeous???? I feel like I won a French Beauty Contest or something!!!

And the ever so thoughtful Gabriela had this lovely message included inside the box…

“There is magic in long-distance friendships. They let you relate to other human beings in a way that goes beyond being physically together and is often more profound” – Diana Cortes

How true that quote is! Gabriela knew my birthday was coming up but she did not know the actual date. I was reluctant to tell her and chose to ignore that question which was peppered in her emails to me for weeks leading up to my birthday.

I am NOT one of those who dreads her birthday because of getting a year older. After losing a beautiful younger sister to cancer, I know that there are people all over this world who would give anything to be able to celebrate even one more birthday. And ever since then, I choose to celebrate my birthdays with GRATITUDE for another year…even if it means a higher number and another wrinkle...bring them on!

But I am still one of those who does not like a fuss made over them, so that’s why I kept mum on the birth date. But Gabriela in her sweetness was not to be swayed from her mission and her lovely and thoughtful gift arrived very close to my special day. Thank you dear Gabriela! Your kindness and gift giving expertise is exquisite and very much appreciated. If you would like to visit my friend, click HERE to visit Gabriela’s gorgeous blog and click HERE to visit Boutique Rochambeau. where Gabriela purchased my lovely gift. Thanks for taking time from your busy day to enjoy this little break with me!

Spring Cleaning, Shopping & Special Orders

First, I want to send a big THANK YOU to everyone who came by to visit during my Marie Antoinette Celebration! It’s been a fun week - between receiving Stampington’s gorgeous new publication, my blog celebration party and my Mom and Dad also arrived this week from Virginia to visit with us for Spring Break!

The month before the parents arrive is always BUSY.

Lot’s of spring cleaning and getting the house ready for company.

By the time company arrives, all the flowerbeds and pots have been replanted so that everything is fresh, colorful and green.


While Mr. Cupid is busy with yard work, I am busy doing spring-cleaning inside.



…all those chores I put off until the last minute before company arrives.

But once Mom and Dad arrive, we can enjoy spending time together on the party patio.

We usually end up enjoying most of our meals, and even a daily happy hour, outdoors. It won’t be long before the heat and humidity of Florida run us back inside until our short fall season arrives.

A favorite activity when the parents are in town is to shop flea markets and antique stores. I’ve already found a couple of sweet treasures that were too good to pass-up. I was enchanted with this romantic French courting couple…..

And I found this stack of romantic vintage rose plates. All the plates are in pristine condition, with the exception of one that was badly cracked. That plate will be turned into jewelry for my Mom for Mothers Day, as a remembrance of our shopping adventure together when we found these plates on the bottom of a dusty shelf in an antique store.

I’ve also taken time during their stay to get a little work done in the studio and also wanted to share this fun custom necklace order I just finished. The sweetest customer contacted me about turning my Bunny Collector Charm Bracelet into a charm necklace instead and she also wanted to add a couple of lace charms, mixed into the designs…

I think it turned out so sweet and my Mom tried her best to wrangle this order away from me…but it’s safely in the mail and on it’s way to its new home.

I’ll be popping in and out over the next few days while we enjoy spending time with the parents. Until then, I hope everyone is having a beautiful spring and enjoying your Easter celebrations too.

Celebrating Marie Antoinette – The Final Chapter

Thank you so much for allowing me to share my passion for all things Antoinette with you! Meeting so many of you for the first time has been thrilling for me and I promise that over the next several weeks, I will be visiting each of you with thanks for your participation.From all my studies and research, I have so learned so much that at times it can be hard to temper my enthusiasm. Once you have read her biographies, it is hard not to change your opinions from what you thought you knew about her. I know that I only skimmed the surface of her life this past week, but it was so heart warming to read your comments and know that many of you have been inspired to learn a little bit more too. It makes all the longs hours of research and blogging all the more meaningful. I send a heartfelt “Thank You” to each and everyone of you who came by to visit with me this past week.

I want to leave you with what I believe to be the most accurate physical image of Marie Antoinette…

This is a wax model of Marie. When Marie Antoinette was alive, many noted that she appeared so different between her portraits. Even Marie felt that very few artists captured her true image. Her favorite portrait artist, Elisabeth Louise Vigee Le Brun even remarked that her beautiful complexion, without natural shadows made it difficult to capture her true beauty in a painting.

Now, I will spare you the gory details, but I have seen the official death mask of Marie Antoinette, which was made by Madame Tussaud, who eventually became famous for her wax museums. Madame Tussaud went to the cemetery where Marie was taken after her execution. And while the gravediggers had their lunch, she proceeded with her work, having located the body of Marie Antoinette, lying in the grass with her head horrifically placed between her legs. What you may not know is that Madame Tussaud had lived at Versailles for 9 years and had taught art to Elizabeth, the Kings sister. When the revolution erupted, Madame Tussaud was arrested and jailed on suspicion of royalist sympathies. In prison, she awaited execution by guillotine in the same cell with Josephine de Beauharnais (who later became the Empress Josephine). Even though Tussauds hair was already cut for her execution, at the last minute, her talent for wax work saved her life in order to make the death masks of victims from the guillotine. As fate would have it, she had to create the death masks of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI. Can you image her horror in having to complete this job? Since these death masks were made by her, I can’t help but feel that it’s a safe bet that her eventual models of the royal couple were far more accurate than any portrait painters. If anyone could bring the image of Marie Antoinette back to life it was Madame Tussauds.

I have a number of favorite references I also want to share with you. For reading & photo materials, my favorites to date are:

Marie Antoinette, The Journey by Antonia Fraser

Versailles, A Biography of a Palace by Tony Spawforth

Versailles, by Jean-Marie Perouse de Montclos

Queen of France by Andre Castelot

Elisabeth Vigee Le Brun – The odyssey of an artist in an age of revolution, by Gita May

Marie Antoinette Style – by Adrien Goets

A Scented Palace – by Elisabeth de Feydeau

Memoirs of the Court of Marie Antoinette, Queen of France by Madame Campan

The Private Realm of Marie Antoinette by Marie-France Boyer



Movies
Marie Antoinette, PBS

Marie Antoinette, Sofia Coppola – 2006

Marie Antoinette, with Norma Shearer, 1938



Music

Marie Antoinette, 2006 Soundtrack

Musique a’ la Chapelle Royale de Versailles – 5 CD set

The Romance of Flute and Harp – Linda Chatterton (Mon C’est Ami – The Queens Love Song)


I also wanted to share the last two images of the offical revolutionary inventory of her jewelry, with you.

I’ve had a few questions about this so here goes….the graphics I am sharing of this document were created by me. The original document was written in French, in 1795. I had the document translated and I used a graphic of an old piece of paper and a font that looked like old handwriting to create the English version of the original document.

Ooooh yes, I was having 3 different giveways!!! Well, here are the winners for the Marie Antoinette Large Charms….

Congratulations to the winners! Thank you so much for your visits during my celebration event! Please send me an email to let me know where to send your very special Marie Antoinette art inspired jewelry.

And to everyone else, Merci Beaucoup for a wonderful week of Celebrating All Thing Antoinette and sharing in my joy of having my Marie Antoinette Charm Bracelet published in Stampington's "Marie" magazine!

Celebrating Marie Antoinette – She Created Beauty

“You love flowers and I have a whole bouquet for you” with those words, King Louis XVI made his Queen, Marie Antoinette one happy girl. He then handed her this key…

…to her very own pleasure palace, the Petit Trianon.

Finally she had a place to retreat from all the pomp and ritual of court life. A place where she could create a more simple life and way of being. Although the Petit Trianon is located on the grounds of Versailles, it became another world for Marie Antoinette. At Versailles, her every gesture was scrutinized and regulated down to the smallest detail. From what she wore to what she ate, from the moment she got up in the morning until the moment she went to bed. Her daily routine took place under the watchful eyes of courtiers, ladies-in-waiting, valets, footmen, nobility who vied for her favors and encroached on her privacy. At the Petit Trianon, she could escape in privacy to live as she wished. By claiming her right for this separate and private life, she could also choose her own style.

She designed the interior to reflect her personal taste. There is a reoccurring floral motif in the furniture, fabric and porcelain used in this little jewel.

In her private study, there are the famous mirrored shutters, which would rise from the floor to cover the windows and thereby keep out prying eyes.

She wanted her space to be personal and she wanted reminders of her family around her. She hung portraits of her Austrian family members in her boudoir.

As elaborate as some of the interior furnishings may seem, the interiors are more modest in scale and simplicity when compared to the over-the-top grandeur of the gilded palace of Versailles.

She also wanted to create gardens that were less formal than those found at Versailles. In vogue were the English style gardens, or Jardin Anglais, and tree planting became a passion for her. Decorative buildings were added to the landscape and included the classical Temple of Love with Cupid standing in the center.

An elegant jewel-box little theater was built where the Queen could enjoy participating in amateur plays. A favorite childhood pastime that never left her.

The ultimate garden structures were in the little village, or Hameau. A charming model village with farmhouses and thatched cottages built around a man-made lake

All these beautiful details add up to create a picture of how one woman’s tastes and desires became a political issue. Everything about Marie Antoinette was controversial in one form or another. But no matter what you may think about the Queens spending habits or lifestyle, few would disagree that her personal style and taste was responsible for creating objects of great beauty.

I hope you enjoyed your visit to Marie Antoinette's most favorite place to be. I also hope you have enjoyed this peek into her world. Please come visit tomorrow and I'll wrap up my Celebrating Marie Antoinette event and also announce 3 winners for my giveaways!!!

I also hope you will enjoy part 6 of my translated copy of the revolutionary inventory of her jewelry.