[Bead Soup Blog Party] The 8th BSBP with Peggy

What's cookin'?

8th Bead Soup Blog Party

Oh yes!  It's the 8th Annual Bead Soup Blog Party hosted by Ms. Lori Anderson.  This is my 3rd year to participate and my partner is Ms. Peggy Johnson of Charm Barn.  It is her first bead soup blog party and I am excited for her.  She sent me a wonderful and delicious assortment of beads, findings and components.

Beads, componenets and mixed media pendants

This is gonna be fun and I think I will be making a couple of necklaces, bracelets and / or earrings.  I love the bright colored beads, perfect for spring and summer. 

[via]

These are what I sent Peggy.  I sent her a color assortment that is different from what she likes (pink) but I hope she enjoys working with it.  The pendant was made from polymer clay.

The reveal day is on May 3rd and I hope to see you then.  Happy beading!

[Bottles of Hope] Spreading Good Cheer through Art

"Hello.  My name is Princess Zita.  Would you like to have tea with me?"

"Have Tea with Me"
Polymer Clay

Isn't she adorable?  She is going to a special patient as part of Bottles of Hope.  The Bottles of Hope project started in  1999 by Diane Gregoire, a polymer clay artist and cancer survivor who used her talents to bring cheer to cancer patients by covering glass medicine bottles with art and giving it to them.  The members of the Houston Polymer Clay Guild has been actively participating in this endeavor.  I always look forward to coming to the guild once a month to chat, to learn and to see what projects the others have done.

Houston Polymer Clay Guild
Bottles of Hope
March 2014

Look at these unique pieces of art.   There are a variety of techniques that were used to make each bottle - oh, the wonderful world of making canes! 

Houston Polymer Clay Guild
Bottles of Hope
February 2014

Last February, I made a bottle using colors that were southern/rodeo inspired.  I also added rope and tassels.  As always, all the bottles were beautiful but one of the hits that brought us to the moon (no pun intended) was this NASA astronaut... oh, the details on the logo and flag were just amazing!

It is my prayer that each bottle of hope would bring love, joy and a sweet smile to each recipient.

Blessings!
♥ michelle

[Events] Head Over Heels Surprise!

Do you remember this necklace that I made for our dear friend on her "Surprise High Heels Party?"  I forgot to show you how we decorated the hall for the celebration.  She loves wearing high heels so we decided to make it our theme and used gold, black and white.  The topiary centerpiece were handmade using gold and white tissue paper, wooden dowels, faux flowers and crystals arranged in a tall glass vase with stones and moss. We printed pictures of high heels and I applied Ranger's glossy accents to make it look oh so shiny, just like most of her shoes and adhered it to the glass centerpiece.  We made a total of 20 which really looked pretty.  The giant shoe on the background was  painted on a foam core board and adorned with red and white flowers.  The "Happy Birthday" sentiment was made using cricut.

Golden Birthday Celebration
Black, Gold, White
DIY decors

The letter blocks were handmade as well -  we painted it black with a gold trim.  There were a lot of guests so we had to figure how to best arrange the round and rectangular tables, 2 sets of buffet tables, roast pig carving table, dessert table and the sound booth.  It turned out pretty well.  We placed a separate presidential table which allowed them to have a perfect view of the program.  The cake was orange chiffon made and beautifully decorated by Jane&Jill.   

Oh it was wonderful to see her so happy, being surrounded by so many people who love her.  Husband and I were super tired but it was the "good kind of tired."  This was my first major events arrangement and (pardon my boasting), it was beautiful!  

Soli deo gloria!

♥  michelle

[Challenge] P3 February 2014 Challenge: "Pen and Paper Go Together"

I like pop-up notepads especially the bold and bright ones so when the Philippine Polymer Clay Guild announced  their Challenge for February 2014:  "Sweet Pairings," I got excited.  I made a pop-up notepad holder and also covered a pen with polymer clay using the wood grain technique.   I have seen this technique several times in books and as demonstrated by one of the Houston polymer clay guild members, Bob.  I tried to make 2 different kinds of woodgrain:  one using gold mica pc and the other was gold mixed with pearl and translucent.  The stitching around the box and the blue flowers completed the piece.

Polymer Clay Wood Grain
Pen and Pop-up Notepad Holder

I have seen this technique several times in books and as demonstrated by one of the Houston polymer clay guild members, Bob.  I tried to make 2 different kinds of woodgrain:  one using premo sculpey gold mica pc and the other was gold mixed with pearl and translucent.  The stitching around the box and the blue flowers completed the piece.

Head over to the Philippine Polymer Clay's Facebook to check out the other projects and LIKE us while you're there.  

Have a blessed day!
♥  michelle

[Celebration] Valentine's Date 2014: Aura Brasserie

photo [via]

My dear one and I spent our post-Valentine's date at Aura Brasserie with 19 other friends.  Aura is owned by Chef Frederic Perrier who is "widely recognized for his creativity and inventive nature by introducing Southwestern, South American and Asian influences in his cooking."  The restaurant is described as "innovative American with an 'inch' of French" and was named one of Houston's Top Ten New restaurants.  

It was a cozy place with a long red seating area on one side and a wall featuring glass art on the other.  The menu was a tongue twister for us (lol) but we it turned out that we chose well.

(top Left to Right)  Tikal Locura, Lyonnaise, Filet Mignon, Filet Medallion,  Berkshire Pork Cheeks, Pan seared Striped Bass, Scallops and Lamb Chops

We got a bottle of Tikal Locura (locura = madness) from Sabores de Argentina.  It was a bold red wine made from a blend of Malbec, Bonarda and Torrontes which are three of Argentina's best variety of grapes.  It was really good - smooth and delicious!  For wine lovers, it is 94 points.  The bottle was encased within an authentic Aregentine pato which is a leather cradle designed to hold the ball in the game of Pato which is Argentina's national sport.  The game combines elements from polo and basketball.  Pato in Spanish is 'duck' and it started out as a violent game - I don't want to get so graphic here but I know you get the point.

photo [via]

These are some of what we ordered:

Salade de Chêvre, Endives et Betteraves $10 Baked Goat Cheese with Salt Roasted Beets, Endive & Walnuts 

Salade Lyonnaise $10 Curly Endive with Poached Egg, Pear, Bacon, Croutons & Mustard Vinaigrette 

Gratinée a l’Oignon $9 French Onion Soup 

Bisque de Homard $10 Lobster Bisque 

Joues de Porc “en Meurette”, et Ris de Veau $11 Berkshire Pork Cheeks Braised in Red Wine then Cooked with Pearl Onions, Bacon, Mushrooms, Crispy Sweet Breads and a Poached Farm Egg 

Le Pâté du Chef $10 Chicken Liver & Foie Gras Mousse with Port Wine & Onions Jam 

Foie Gras “Selon l’humeur du Chef” $16 Foie Gras following The Chef’s Mood!

Coquilles Saint-Jacques $28 Diver Scallops over Cauliflower Puree, Arugula Salad & Brown Butter Emulsion 

Saumon aux Asperges $21 Seared Salmon, Parmesan Crusted Asparagus and Citrus Butter 

Loup de Mer $25 Pan Seared Striped Bass with Crab Meat & Corn Risotto, Saffron ButterL’entrecôte Pommes Frites $30 Prime Ribeye with French Fries, Red Wine Reduction 

Filet au Poivre $29 Filet Mignon with Cognac Peppercorn Sauce 

Cotelettes d’Agneau $28 Lamb Chops with White Beans, Sundried Tomato, Garlic Stew & Fresh Mint Pistou 

Jarret de Porc $19 Crispy 12 Hour Pork Shank with Yukon Gold Mash, Caramelized Apples 

& Dijon Mustard Sauce 

Médaillons de Filet aux Champignons $26 Filet Medallions with Truffle Mushroom Risotto, Cognac Sauce

Whew!  That's a mouthful.  The food was unique and delicious.  

Good food + Good company = Perfect date.

Aura Brasserie
15977 City Walk, Sugar Land, TX 77479(281) 403-2872

We don't have children and while our friends had to pick up theirs from the sitters, we went straight home. That's when we realized that "husband and wife" alone time off from the children is very very precious and important to keep their marriage going.  

Love to you all!

♥ michelle  

[#PHthankyou] The Philippines says Thank You!

It's been three months since Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines causing many lives and major destruction in several towns and cities.  We are overwhelmed with the help that we received from you and your country. The road to recovery is long but we will see through it, as always.  

Billboards in major cities around the world were seen with the phrase:  "The Philippines says Thank You" at 2040 GMT on Friday, February 7, 2014.  You may check out the photos from NY's Times Square, Tokyo's Shibuya Crossing, Paris' Lafayette Galeries, London's Picadilly Circus, Toronto, Berlin, Australia and a few more HERE.

To you, we say "Maraming Salamat" / "Thank You!"

Sincerely,

Michelle

[Jewelry] Polymer Clay Faux Turquoise Necklace

Polymer Clay Faux Turquoise

I.  Am.  Back!  How are you?

One of our dear friends celebrated her 50th birthday and we gave her a surprise celebration!  Whew!  The 3 weeks of preparation, secret meetings and close encounters was fun and we're glad it turned out to be a wonderful celebration.  The theme of the party was "High Heels" since she loved wearing them and we used the colors:  black, gold and white.  

This was the necklace that I made for her.  The pendant is faux turquoise made from polymer clay.  To complete the necklace, I added mother of pearl square spacers, red and black crystals and ceramic beads all wired and attached to a chain.  It drapes the neck nicely and is very elegant.

So, how are you?  Have you been doing a lot of projects lately?

Have a blessed day!

♥  michelle  ♥