The Wine Stroll

This past Saturday my town, Morgan Hill, CA. had what they call a "Wine Stroll". It was an event meant to get people downtown and into the shops. Each shop had a different local winery that would pour a taste of wine. There were 15 local wineries represented. People met at the old Granada theater in the heart of downtown and received a wine glass and a punch card with a map on it. Then they could stroll around from shop to shop wine tasting and shopping!

I decided to take advantage of the event by making a display table for my studio and handing out fliers for my classes, etc... It was a great success. I spoke to many, many people who had no idea that my studio even existed. Hopefully I will get some business out of it! We'll see!

Hangin' with my Bro!

Yesterday my sweet brother took my out for a marvelous lunch at Ragoots! It was such a beautiful day so we sat out on the patio watching the people stroll by. The food at Ragoots is delicious. I had an Asian chicken salad and he had Tuscan Linguini! It was very special because I don't get to go out to eat very often. I've been suffering from that ancient Italian disease... "ma-funds-are-low"! Anyway I really appreciate my brother taking me out! He is my bestest friend! Love his cool new hat too! xoxo Danny!

P.S. I'm growing my hair (needed a change) and it's driving me crazy right now. It's in that ugly middle phase between short and long. I just need to hang in there a few more months but can I do it? I don't know. And will I even be glad I did? Okay I'm committed. Only going to grow it to my shoulders with lots of layers. We'll see...

Missing my Sweet Pepper Today

I'm missing my dear sweet Pepper dog today. Poor old girl. We had to put her to "sleep" a few week ago, ugh, so sad. She was 14 years old so that's 98 years old in people years. She was half German Shepard and half Siberian Husky. She could barely walk anymore because of arthritis and she had many other ailments so it was time for her to go to that great doggy park in the sky. It was a lot harder for me to let her go than I thought. I haven't even been able to blog about it until now and it's been about three weeks. It helps that we moved to another house so at least I'm not picturing her laying by the door looking out as she used to do so often. I'm picturing her up in heaven running around pain free with my grandma and grandpa taking good care of her. I love you old Pep! Thanks for being my son's best friend as he was growing up and being our family's faithful watch dog! "Free Dog" at last!

My Sister Came for a Visit!

My sister Toni (right) came to visit me from Arizona. We had so much fun! Actually, probably a little too much fun a couple of times! I hadn't seen her in about two years! It's always so fun hanging out with her and staying up till the wee hours of the morning (4:00am) having "girl talk"!. This was the first day she was here. She took me out to lunch at Ragoots here in Morgan Hill. It was so yummy! Thanks Toni! I miss you lots! I wish we lived by each other. Hey, we forgot to play the humming game!

P.S. Why do I look so happy in this picture? Because I just ate a fantastic Reuben and had some awesome Pinot Grigio! Ahhhh!

My Sidewalk Sign!

This is my new sidewalk sign! It looks a lot cooler in person because it has sparkles on it that don't really show up in the picture. The other side of the sign is basically the same. I wanted to make the sign very visible with the lettering and also have it represent the type of art I do. I can now put this outside on the sidewalk when I'm open to try and draw people upstairs to my studio to make a project or just get some information. Yay! I'm very happy with it!

Finally... My First Art Journal Pages!

Wow, I didn't know it would be so hard getting started on my art journal. I finally did the first two pages! Now I think I'll be on a role because I'm thinking of lots of ideas to journal about! Yay! My sister Elizabeth's art journal is such an inspiration to me! Getting started was the hardest part but now I'm excited! Every "artist" should do one of these! Now I need to write some of my thoughts on these pages. hmmmm.

My New Art Journal

For the longest time I have wanted to create an art journal but some how I had never gotten around to it. My sister Elizabeth started her art journal and she is addicted! She has been the inspiration for me finally doing one for myself. I will also use this journal as an example for "Art Journal Thursday Nights" at the studio! See my website for details!

P.S. I think I need to add some sparkles!

Open Studio Christmas Arty Party!

The studio was abuzz with activity last night! Carols were playing while Christmas ornaments and gifts were being created!

The atmosphere was electric with laughter and fun!

Halie decided to collage some Christmas themed cans to use for gift containers. Becky decided to create an ornament for her granddaughter's first Christmas!

Joy decided to make her husband a collage on canvas as a Christmas gift. It will have an ocean theme since he loves deep sea fishing.

Rebbecca is making her parents and grandparents a collage Christmas ornament with the theme from the movie "It's a Wonderful Life"!

Becky is choosing pictures and creating her layout while enjoying a little glass of Cabernet!

Joy has finished base coating her canvas and is now choosing all of her collage elements.

Lots of creative energy going in here!

Aubrey decided to collage a glass tea light for her room!

She also made a beautiful Christmas ornament for her Mom!

Here is baby Ina's Christmas ornament made by Granny B. (Becky) in celebration of her first Christmas!

Here is the back of the ornament. The words were created on our old typewriter at the studio and then cut out and decoupaged onto the ornament. Then sparkles were added of course!

Sarah decided to collage an old bottle with a mermaid/beach theme!

Very cool Sarah!

OMG! Joy's collage on canvas turned out so beautiful! Your hubby is going to love his gift! This is the first collage that Joy has ever done! I think she's found her new talent!

Becky also created a Christmas ornament for her brother based on his favorite Christmas movie!

Love it!

Aubrey's tea light is still drying. When it's finished she will be able to place a lighted candle inside and then all of the pictures will glow! It should look beautiful in her bedroom!

Here is the Christmas ornament that Rebbecca created for her grandparents! Just lovely!

And here is the collage ornament she created for her parents! So sweet!

Halie painted and decoupaged this paint can and will now fill it with cookies to give to a friend for a Christmas gift!

Another beautiful can created by Halie to fill with goodies!

A fun filled artistic night was had by all!

Christmas Open Studio Projects

Collage Christmas Ornaments

Christmas time at the studio is so fun! I loved making these projects during "Open Studio" Friday nights. Every Friday night between 6pm and 9pm the studio is open so come in and make a project! Projects take about 2 hours to complete and cost $25.00 at the door. This includes all materials. Make a cool Christmas goodie for yourself or to give as a gift! Bring your friends! Bring a snack! Bring a bottle of your favorite wine! Sit back, relax and CREATE!

Collage Cafe Art Studio
17415 Monterey Rd. #202

(Upstairs - 2nd Floor)

Morgan Hill, CA 95037

Collage Candy Dishes

A Little of My World

Thought I would share a little of my world with you. A few posts back I showed a picture of the house that I just moved into. I said that I wanted to start decorating in reds, turquoise, gold and browns, etc... Well here is the beginnings of that trend. Here is my living room/ dining area. I was standing on the landing of the stairs that lead to the bedrooms on the second floor. To the left of the railing is my front door. I just realized when you click on this picture (below) you can see all of my recyclables sitting on the dining table "Go Green"! lol!

Here is the grouping of pictures I did above my couch. I'm kind of going with a Spanish/Old Mission decorating theme with some Italy/Tuscany thrown in.

Here is what we refer to as the "Santa Chair". I got this chair from the Goodwill a few years ago.


There are so many crosses in my house that my son said a vampire wouldn't dare set foot inside! You can see my big old sweet dog Pepper laying on her bed by the door. She is 98 years old in people years. Poor old girl just lays around and sleeps a lot now a days.

Here is my cute little antique bar (below) that I got a few years ago. It opens up and has an entire set of gold leaf 50's bar ware like the ones you see sitting on top here.

While I'm at it I mind as well throw in a few pictures of the kitchen. I love the big window above the sink that looks out to the backyard.

The picture below was taken while standing by the dining table looking straight into the kitchen.

So there you have it a look into my cozy little home and world!