Monday, January 4, 2010

Beautiful Big Sur...and the Queen of Aprons

Good afternoon, my friends!  Can't believe I haven't posted anything since New Year's Eve!  It's been a very busy time for all of us, though--hasn't it?!  Hope all of your holiday celebrations have been full of family, friends and fabulous times!

I wanted to share a little of a beautiful day we just had with you.  On Saturday, we all headed out to Big Sur, which is close to where we live.  Gorgeous!!!  Keep in mind, this is January!



Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?  Love the gorgeous blues and greens in the water...ahhhh!



My girls looking out at the ocean...



WOW!



Sarah, Annie and Chelsea...



Wish I could have been closer to that beautiful lighthouse...almost sunset...



Not quite sure what Sarah was doing...but I like it!



My girls in front of Bixby Bridge in Big Sur...what a lovely day!

I actually got a couple of cards made this week, as well!  Not as much creating time as I usually have, but that's okay!  Here's the first:



I made this for a dear friend of mine who's birthday is coming up fairly soon...she IS the queen of aprons!  The images are from Crafty Secret's new & improved "Girlfriends" Images & Journal Notes booklet,  LOVE those aprons!  And the retro stars....my favorites! 



The background paper is from Graphic 45's "Domestic Goddess" collection--a great favorite of mine!  I tried to duplicate the look of apron sleeves at the sides of the card with the lace and the rick rack trim.  Just printed up my own "Queen of Aprons", added some Martha Stewart "White Gold" glitter, some buttons and that's about it!



Here's another quick one I made using Crafty Secret's "Kitchen Mail" Vintage Postcard kit...



These postcards are just so much fun to make--and speedy, too!  You can add as much or as little as you want...



The photo doesn't really pick up the diamond glitter on her wings, but it's there! 




Mrs. Wonderful...if only!  Love using crystal rhinestones on these--great sparkle!  I edged the postcard with my favorite real silver shavings glitter--nothing glitters  quite like it!

Well, that's about it for today!  I hope you're enjoying the New Year so far, and that 2010 will be a wonderful, creative year for all of us!

23 comments:

  1. What a beautiful day you had with your girls! You don't want to know what I see when I look out my window, but having lived in Ohio, I'm sure you've had your share of...you know...that stuff we get in Western Pa this time of year. Love your projects today! So cheerful and such great colors!

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  2. Incredible pictures of Big Sur. It might be January but I'm sure you were warmer than I was. It was 9 degrees in Milwaukee on Saturday for the wedding! BRRRR....

    Always love the Domestic Goddess stuff.

    Happy New Year!

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  3. Your daughters are as beautiful as you are Julie!
    These pictures of Big Sur and the girls are wonderful. I would love to live close to something so beautiful.
    Thanks for sharing these and your cards you made. Wow you are so creative. Do you sell your work. If so email me and put them on my Temptation Mondays post everyone would love them.
    Maggie

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  4. Hey Grandma Yellow Hair took my line .... LOL!! Yes, I was going to say that your girls are as beautiful as their mom!! I can't even imagine being that close to Big Sur ... I was there once and it was so foggy I couldn't see the ocean ... only hear it!! You are quite the photographer too ... these photos of the girls are awesome! Good job Mom!! Next time let one of the girls get YOU in the shot!!
    (What a great offer from Maggie ... good for you!!) HUGS my friend! Keep up the good work ... your creations here are amazing (as always)

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  5. Julie, your cards are wonderful, as always. I especially love the Queen of Aprons. I love vintage aprons. I'm going to check out Crafty Secrets, they seem to have a great line of all things vintage. I've been dying to make something non Christmas related for some time : ).

    I had never heard of Big Sur - what a gorgeous view. And I love lighthouses, too! Your girls are beautiful!!

    I see you have read the "Percy Jackson and the Olympian" series. I have heard from a few friends who really enjoyed these books. Time to add them to my "to read" list.

    Happy New Year,

    Erin

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  6. Getting to spend time with your daughters is fabulous. Recording it with photos, is the icing on the cake. What an opportunity to enjoy nature at its best. Your Domestic Goddess card is lovely. I adore anything vintage inspired, especially the look of your card. Have a great week, Julie.
    Maureen

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  7. I too loved the pictures of Big Sur and your beautiful girls. Reminds me of driving past there with your mother on a trip to visit you and your little girs and now look at them. Why don't you all just come to Phoenix sometime and meet your parents here and we will party with cards and crafts and goodies....

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  8. Julie, I had NO IDEA you lived near there. I was in this area & have similar photos in both April & June (if you go to my list & click on California you will see). I wish we had known each other then & we could have hooked up to meet in person. I was out in April for a jewelry design class with Diana Frey. I stayed in Arroyo Grande & then we went to Cambria & then up to Carmel. Took hubby back in late June. That time we went all the way up to see Alcatraz at night.

    Your photos are stunning & so are your girls. When does everyone go back to school? Hugs Charlene

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  9. What an amazing time you certainly all had! It must be quite a treat to have "girl time" with all three of your lovely daughters (and I'm sure the beautiful backdrop helped!)
    Happy New Year!

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  10. Hiya Julie! So nice to meet you! Thanks for popping in and leaving a sweet comment!! YOU have a beautiful blog! So colorful and FUN!! And I love your artwork! I'll be back soon for another visit!
    Blessings and Happy New Year!
    Myrna

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  11. your girls are beautiful! wonderful view. you did a great job on that card. love it.
    blessings,
    aimee

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  12. Oh Julie, what fun you have had with your family over the holidays! What an extra special blessing! How lucky you are. I loved the pictures. I cannot imagine how it must be to live in a place that stays so warm all year round. I am used to it being very cold in the winter and it has been extra cold this year for some reason. So much for Global Warming! As always I just love your cards. I have a special affinity for those retro kitchen types of images. I just love them so. I also adore aprons, especially vintage ones and so I really love these cards today!! I am on a wait list for Martha Stewart Glitter. I hope I don't have to wait too long! I just love it! I just love you!!! Have a great Tuesday out there in sunny California!! I would love some of that sun and warmth set over here pretty please!!! xxoo

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  13. Wow absolutely stunning scenery and photographs - please, please can we do a home swap? - we are five inches deep in snow today! xxx

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  14. definitely a favorite part of my world, you captured it perfectly. Hugs

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  15. These photos brings back wonderful memories. We drove down from Washington State and in to California last year. Rd 1 and 101. I totally agree with you that this is fantastic! To compare our temperature...., it is -10C here today. Brrr...

    Mrs Wonderful is really wonderful I love both of your cards, and the glitter you use is great!

    Have a wonderful day Julie!
    Hugs Hanne

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  16. What lovely pictures - the azure blue of the water on the first pic inspires me... It sounds like you all had a wonderful day together. It is beautiful there! Your cards are so pretty! I love the glitter and rhinestones.

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  17. The ocean photos are refreshing as your crafts are, I think your daughter is flying.

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  18. Wonderful picture Julie, so welcome here as we have had minus temperatures since well before Christmas and there is no sign of a thaw yet.

    Your daughters are all beautiful, from the pictures one in particualr looks very like you.

    One of our daughters is very like me and now she has a daughter who is another clone. Note sure how happy she will be about that when she grows up. Time will tell.

    B x

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  19. Julie, I can't possibly expressed how moved I was to see images that bring my mother as a young woman so clearly to mind. How often in her early career as an artist she painted from exactly the point of view you took your photograph. I recognize the trees! My mother was a nurse in Monterey and met my father who was going to school there. They were married, and I was born there. I had a beautiful photograph of my mother taken on the bridge also in your photograph but have lost it. Today I could picture it again because of your lovely post. Thank you so much for sharing your special day! Elizabeth

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  20. Great pics of a wonderful day with your girls. You always make the sweetest cards. It's hard for me to get back into the swing of things after a long winter holiday; now it is back to work and all that entails every day. Hopefully will catch up over the weekend. Have a great day. :) Tammy

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  21. Hello!
    I was for 3 Years in California and enjoyed the wonderful view! I love it! It was so stunning. Thank you for the memories!

    And....I love your cards too!

    Have a nice day
    Angelika

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  22. Such a gorgeous scenic place and your daughters are beautiful! Thanks for sharing your lovely pictures with us! Have a Happy Day! Hugs, Coralie

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  23. Beautiful pictures. And i just love the card you made. Blessings!
    Gwen

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